ABSTRACT

The broad concept of walkability has emerged as a key theme in urban studies with strong links to health and environmental sustainability outcomes (Forsyth and Southworth 2008; Maghelal and Capp 2011; Frank et al. 2006; Giles-Corti et al. 2003). It is also a key urban design concept and a particular focus for those researching streetlife intensities and transit-oriented urbanism (Cervero and Kockelman 1997; Krizek 2003; Lo 2009). Walkability has been linked to many aspects of the urban environment, including permeability, safety, footpath quality, land-use mix, density and climate (Lin and Moudon 2010; Moudon et al. 2006; Lee and Talen 2014; Ewing and Handy 2009; Forsyth et al. 2008; Porta and Renne 2005). Many such studies are focused on perceptions or attitudes of residents and users rather than morphologies (Ewing and Handy 2009; Clifton et al. 2007; Páez 2013). While a complex integration of such factors remains a larger task, our goal here is more focused. In this chapter we explore the ways in which walkable access is mediated by the urban morphology of public space networks, together with the ways in which such access might be measured and mapped.