Increasing Urban Walkability through Citizens’ Participation Processes

Francesco Scorza, Giovanni Fortunato, Raffaella Carbone, Beniamino Murgante and Piergiuseppe Pontrandolfi
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Francesco Scorza: Laboratory of Urban and Regional Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Giovanni Fortunato: Laboratory of Urban and Regional Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Raffaella Carbone: Laboratory of Urban and Regional Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Beniamino Murgante: Laboratory of Urban and Regional Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Piergiuseppe Pontrandolfi: Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-29

Abstract: The work is focused on the integration of space syntax analysis (SSA) in a process of participatory planning focused on a neighbourhood scale where the challenge of promoting pedestrian-friendly regeneration process is a bottom-up priority. The promotion of active mobility is one of the main themes of the urban regeneration project CAST operating on the western part of the city of Potenza (capital of the Basilicata region, Italy). Both the state of the art of the case study area and the potential effects of the intervention proposed on the basis of the participatory process have been assessed by SSA as a walkability assessment method. By measuring a street network’s syntactic parameters, it was possible to further enrich the cognitive framework relating to the current situation and to simultaneously evaluate the effects (in terms of potential movement and social usage) deriving from design interventions. The paper presents a methodology to evaluate the urban pedestrian environment and to provide an insight for walking-related intervention and improvements in neighbourhood-scale planning, according to a participatory approach. The research, based on specific local characteristics, represents a transferable approach to supporting and informing policy-makers and designers engaged in inclusive and participative urban regeneration projects.

Keywords: walkability; liveable city; citizens participation; urban regeneration; pedestrian mobility (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 (2)

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