An objective assessment of walkability in Khulna City: A GIS based approach

Abstract

Walking acts as an authentic link for intermodal transfer in major activity centers and helps to fulfil recreational and utilitarian trips in a city. To assess the condition and pattern of walking, walkability assessment is the primary option. In the last decade a large number of literatures in urban planning, public health and transportation have analyzed the role of the built environment on physical activity, typically walking. This study is the first approach of measuring neighborhood walkability for Khulna City which is the third largest city in Bangladesh. Different spatial analyses have been carried out to objectively assess walkability score for all 31 wards of Khulna City Corporation area using Geographic Information System (GIS). Final result shows the ranking of each ward based on their respective scores. The standard method of walkability measurement provided by IPEN (International Pedestrian Environment Network) has been followed in this study. Net residential density, net intersection density, land use mix and net retail floor area are selected as built environmental criteria. The result indicates that ward no 11 shows the highest standardized walkability score, where the lowest score was found for ward no 4. It was also found that 19.27% people live in high walkable area and 39.48% people live in low walkable area of the city. Outputs of the research will be very helpful for the decision makers, city managers etc. who are dealing with the development and environment of a city and finally the researcher to do research further on the given subject.