Walkability

Walkability describes the extent to which the built environment is walking-friendly. It is a useful way to assess the characteristics of an area or a route, and considers accessibility in terms of proximity to destinations.

Urban form relates to how communities are designed and structured, the type of development that is allowed and where, and how the different areas are connected. Urban form affects the need to travel and the attractiveness (or otherwise) of walking as a practical form of transport.

A walkable place or community has several important qualities as described by seven pedestrian network principles.

Measuring the walkability of an area or route means understanding the ease by which pedestrians can move around. There are many different methods to measuring walkability using desktop analysis, on-site assessment or through pedestrians’ experiences.