Assessing Walkability of Built Environment in Main Street Corridors of Arada SubCity, Addis Ababa

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Date

2023-03-01

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Different components influence the walkability of places, and one of them is the built environment. Urban design, land use patterns, and transportation system infrastructure are attributes of the built environment. The main objective of this research was to assess the walkability of Arada Sub-City's built environment using macro and micro scale indicators. Three broader categories were used for classifying features of the built-up environment: Land Use, Street Networks, and Urban Design. Pedestrians' perceptions about the corridors were gathered to understand how they assessed safety and comfort. The data showed that some qualities enhancing walkability do exist; these include dwelling and commercial density, land-use mix, and public transportation infrastructure. Conversely, unequal distribution of street amenities, lack of maintenance for walkways, usage of pedestrian space as an extension area for commercial frontages, and a lack of universality are among the downsides. Based on data collected from pedestrians, Churchill Ave. ranked highest in comfort and safety. General recommendations were drawn to enhance walkability: adopt design standards with design review for current or new infrastructure projects; pedestrian infrastructure management to prevent wrong practices; improvement in building control regulations to make frontages more active and vibrant; and better integration between pedestrian infrastructures with other institutions.

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Keywords

Walkability, built environment, walkability indices

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