Walkability and Street Intersections in Rural-Urban Fringes: A Decision Aiding Evaluation Procedure

Ivan Blecic, Dario Canu, Arnaldo Cecchini, Tanja Congiu and Giovanna Fancello
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Ivan Blecic: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Cagliari 09100, Italy
Dario Canu: Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
Arnaldo Cecchini: Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
Tanja Congiu: Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
Giovanna Fancello: LAMSADE–CNRS, Université Paris Dauphine, PSL Research University, Paris 75775, France

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: We propose a decision-aiding evaluation procedure (i) for classifying road crossings based on their impact on walkability and, subsequently, (ii) for prioritising street improvements, in urban-rural fringe areas. In the peripheral urban-rural fringes, pedestrian mobility is usually less developed and people generally depend more on cars for their everyday chores. Partly this is inevitable given the structural features and supply of services and activities in such areas, but part is due to a frequent neglect of pedestrian mobility in planning and urban design. Measures to improve this state of affairs can include the design of more pedestrian-friendly environments offering to potential users a greater level of security, comfort and convenience when walking to their designated destinations. Our evaluation procedure combines a walkability assessment methodology with the ELECTRE TRI rating procedure, in order to assist planners and decision makers in designing physical streets to enhance the continuity, safety and quality of pedestrian paths. Improving the walking accessibility in the fringe areas of towns is a way to reduce the physical and perceptual distance which separates these contexts from the rest of the city, thus leading to a progressive integration of urban functions.

Keywords: rural-urban fringe; walkability; road intersections; decision support methods; ELECTRE TRI (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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