An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activity
The impact of shade on pedestrian travel activity is examined through observation of a large sample of sidewalk users at a variety of urban sites under hot and sunny conditions. Extensive data collection in the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, included micrometeorological measurements alongside pedest...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Ubiquity Press
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Buildings & Cities |
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| Online Access: | https://account.journal-buildingscities.org/index.php/up-j-bc/article/view/574 |
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| author | Michelle Levenson David Pearlmutter Or Aleksandrowicz |
| author_facet | Michelle Levenson David Pearlmutter Or Aleksandrowicz |
| author_sort | Michelle Levenson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The impact of shade on pedestrian travel activity is examined through observation of a large sample of sidewalk users at a variety of urban sites under hot and sunny conditions. Extensive data collection in the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, included micrometeorological measurements alongside pedestrian counts, using high-frequency imaging at 34 sites during summer daytime hours. A sample of individuals (n = 5263) identified approximately 60% as being in the shade. The actual availability of shaded space was found to be a consequential factor, as the relative quantity of shaded space correlated strongly and directly with the percentage of people using it. Thus, at sites in which the areas of shaded and unshaded space were relatively equal in quantity and functionality, the proportion of pedestrians travelling in the shade increased to over 70%. Additionally, the intensity of solar exposure—calculated as the total incidence of direct and indirect solar radiation on the body of a standing person at the time of observation—was shown to have a strong correlation with the percentage of pedestrians travelling in the shade. These findings substantiate the imperative for generous shade provision in thermally stressful pedestrian environments. Policy relevance This research provides empirical evidence for developing urban design policies focusing on enhancing outdoor shade to increase walkability under hot conditions. A novel method is presented and used to examine the extent to which outdoor shade is correlated with pedestrian route preference. A large empirical dataset was created to observe pedestrian choices for travel in shaded and unshaded conditions in hot weather. The results show that at sites with comparable shade availability and site circumstances, a clear preference of pedestrians is to travel in the shade. Under hot conditions, shaded routes are likely to attract more pedestrians, although some pedestrians still use unshaded pathways even when shade is adequately provided. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54900cef7cc94b94ada4119b626e4933 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2632-6655 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Ubiquity Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings & Cities |
| spelling | doaj-art-54900cef7cc94b94ada4119b626e49332025-08-21T12:34:40ZengUbiquity PressBuildings & Cities2632-66552025-07-0161398–414398–41410.5334/bc.574574An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activityMichelle Levenson0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8072-1533David Pearlmutter1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0775-6770Or Aleksandrowicz2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6777-5228Department of Environmental, Geoinformatics and Urban Planning Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer ShevaDepartment of Environmental, Geoinformatics and Urban Planning Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer ShevaFaculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, HaifaThe impact of shade on pedestrian travel activity is examined through observation of a large sample of sidewalk users at a variety of urban sites under hot and sunny conditions. Extensive data collection in the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, included micrometeorological measurements alongside pedestrian counts, using high-frequency imaging at 34 sites during summer daytime hours. A sample of individuals (n = 5263) identified approximately 60% as being in the shade. The actual availability of shaded space was found to be a consequential factor, as the relative quantity of shaded space correlated strongly and directly with the percentage of people using it. Thus, at sites in which the areas of shaded and unshaded space were relatively equal in quantity and functionality, the proportion of pedestrians travelling in the shade increased to over 70%. Additionally, the intensity of solar exposure—calculated as the total incidence of direct and indirect solar radiation on the body of a standing person at the time of observation—was shown to have a strong correlation with the percentage of pedestrians travelling in the shade. These findings substantiate the imperative for generous shade provision in thermally stressful pedestrian environments. Policy relevance This research provides empirical evidence for developing urban design policies focusing on enhancing outdoor shade to increase walkability under hot conditions. A novel method is presented and used to examine the extent to which outdoor shade is correlated with pedestrian route preference. A large empirical dataset was created to observe pedestrian choices for travel in shaded and unshaded conditions in hot weather. The results show that at sites with comparable shade availability and site circumstances, a clear preference of pedestrians is to travel in the shade. Under hot conditions, shaded routes are likely to attract more pedestrians, although some pedestrians still use unshaded pathways even when shade is adequately provided.https://account.journal-buildingscities.org/index.php/up-j-bc/article/view/574pedestrian behaviourpedestrian route preferencewalkingpublic spacesolar exposureshade availabilitythermal comforturban designisrael |
| spellingShingle | Michelle Levenson David Pearlmutter Or Aleksandrowicz An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activity Buildings & Cities pedestrian behaviour pedestrian route preference walking public space solar exposure shade availability thermal comfort urban design israel |
| title | An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activity |
| title_full | An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activity |
| title_fullStr | An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activity |
| title_full_unstemmed | An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activity |
| title_short | An observational analysis of shade-related pedestrian activity |
| title_sort | observational analysis of shade related pedestrian activity |
| topic | pedestrian behaviour pedestrian route preference walking public space solar exposure shade availability thermal comfort urban design israel |
| url | https://account.journal-buildingscities.org/index.php/up-j-bc/article/view/574 |
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