Levels and Characteristics of Utilitarian Walking in the Central Areas of the Cities of Bologna and Porto

Fernando Fonseca, Elisa Conticelli, George Papageorgiou, Paulo Ribeiro, Mona Jabbari, Simona Tondelli and Rui Ramos
Additional contact information
Fernando Fonseca: CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Elisa Conticelli: Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
George Papageorgiou: E.U.C. Research Centre, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
Paulo Ribeiro: CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Mona Jabbari: CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Simona Tondelli: Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Rui Ramos: CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-22

Abstract: Walking is a mode of transport that offers many environmental and health benefits. Utilitarian walking refers to walking trips undertaken to fulfil routine purposes. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent to which walking is used as a transport mode for short urban trips in the city centers of Bologna and Porto and the barriers preventing utilitarian walking. Based on a questionnaire ( n = 1117) administered in the two cities, results indicated that 21% of the individuals travel by foot, while 47% combine walking with other modes. This means that 68% of the daily trips to these city centers involve walking activity. From the overall trips, 84% were made to reach work and school/university. Statistical tests showed that utilitarian walkers were more likely to be females ( p < 0.001) and undergraduates ( p < 0.001). People from Bologna were more likely to engage in utilitarian walking than people from Porto ( p < 0.001). Travel distance and time were the main barriers preventing people from engaging in utilitarian walking. The findings described in this paper provide a better understanding of utilitarian walking in the central areas of both cities, which can guide policies to promote healthier lifestyles and sustainable mobility.

Keywords: utilitarian walking; active mobility; active transport; sustainable mobility; pedestrians (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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