Towards more walkable streets. An assessment method applied to school areas in Parma

Silvia Rossetti; Barbara Caselli; Vincenza Torrisi

doi:10.6093/1970-9870/10911

Silvia Rossetti Department of Engineering and Architeture, University of Parma https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3358-2129
Barbara Caselli Department of Engineering and Architeture, University of Parma https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3236-8681
Vincenza Torrisi Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9332-4212

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/10911

Keywords: Walkability, Primary schools, GIS

Abstract

It is well known that urban areas near schools are often characterised by excessive motorised traffic, making access to school facilities difficult and dangerous on foot, especially for children. Increasing walkability of these areas can indeed lead to multiple benefits: safer streets, cleaner air, a more pleasant public space that encourages social uses and the adoption of healthier lifestyles. For these reasons, scientific literature has recently focused on school streets/squares, and their possible regeneration, also through tactical urbanism. Even Italian legislation have recently introduced the concept of “school zones”. Methods and tools are, therefore, needed to delimitate these zones and assess their walkability and quality to select appropriate interventions. Within this framework, the paper applies a GIS-based methodology to calculate a School Walkability Index (SWI), providing a score for catchment areas around schools. The method is applied in the 3-, 10- and 15-minute pedestrian isochrones around primary schools in Parma. Data to perform the walkability assessment have been collected through in-field inspections. This evaluation enables the identification of low walkability levels and punctual criticalities. The outcomes of the research can be helpful to public administrations engaged in improving school accessibility and the social vocation of the surrounding public spaces.

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Author Biographies

Silvia Rossetti, Department of Engineering and Architeture, University of Parma

Environmental Engineer with a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Brescia (2014). She is Associate Professor in Urban Planning at the Department of Engineering and Architecture (DIA) of the University of Parma, where she lectures 'Urban and Sustainable Planning' and 'City, Landscape, and Regional Analyses'. Currently, she is coordinating the National research PRIN 'MOVING StEPS - Moving from Street Experiments to Adaptive Planned Solutions'. Her research interests encompass Geographic Information Systems, Urban Regeneration, and Active Mobility.

Barbara Caselli, Department of Engineering and Architeture, University of Parma

Architect, Assistant Professor (non-tenure track) in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Parma, PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Parma (2017). Her research interests concern the integration of urban planning and active mobility systems with a focus on urban accessibility and open space planning. She also deals with GIS applied to spatial planning and city management.

Vincenza Torrisi, Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania

Transport Engineer with a PhD in Evaluation and Mitigation of Urban and Environmental Risks, from University of Catania (2017). She is currently Assistant Professor (non-tenure track) at the University of Catania in the Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DIEEI) and lecturer of ‘Planning and Design of Transport Systems’ and “Laboratory on Sustainable Transport Systems” in the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR). She is also responsible for the management of the “ITS Laboratory” of University of Catania. Her research mainly focuses on sustainable mobility, transport modelling, techniques for monitoring, estimation and forecasting systems with ITS technologies.

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