The Importance of Environmental Characteristics in Choosing a Walking Route in Cities

Abstract

The characteristics of the streets, which are defined as open urban public spaces, affect the desire and preferences of individuals to walk on the street. In this study, it was aimed to determine the characteristics of the routes preferred by individuals for walking. In the study, sample studies evaluating the importance of environmental characteristics in choosing a walking route were examined, and a survey was designed in line with the results obtained. The survey was conducted with a total of 400 adult participants residing in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara. Environmental characteristics were defined as the independent variable and the tendency to walk as the dependent variable. As a result of the cause-effect analysis, it has been determined that variables such as safety (human, animal, and vehicle), landscape density, pavements, cleanliness and care, calmness and silence, flat terrain and comfort, visual diversity, and lighting have positive and significant relationships with individuals' willingness to walk, respectively. As a result, the environmental characteristics of the routes, especially the perceived safety, the aesthetic pleasure such as landscape density, cleanliness and visual diversity, as well as the qualities such as flat terrain and pedestrian pavements that provide walking comfort, encourage individuals to walk.