Measuring Walkability in a study area in Flanders

Abstract

As walking is of relatively great importance in Flanders, indicated by a share of almost 50% of all short distance trips until 1 km as main travel mode, it is important to guarantee a certain level of walk quality, i.e. walkability. This study is an initiative to apply a standardized method of measurement of local walkability in a city in Flanders, i.e. Hasselt, consisting of two statistical sectors: Hasselt Center West (SS2) and Hasselt Center East (SS1). Walkability is approached in two ways: objective, because the quality of walking is of common importance for society and subjective, because pedestrians postulate expectations and needs. The objective walkability indices, obtained by direct observation, showed a higher score in SS2 with a good walkability, while SS1 has an average score. The perception of the residents and employees within the research area of 20 years or older of the walkability is measured with the abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. The respondents perceived the walkability in SS1 and SS2 as average to good. The perceptions per subscale showed no significant difference between the two statistical sectors and significant correlations with walkability subscales were only found for one socio-demographic variable, i.e. age. The other socio-demographic variables were only weakly related to the walkability subscores. It is concluded that the objective and subjective walkability are relatively concordant, as the misperception of the respondents within SS2 is not substantially differing f