Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research
Walkability has become a major topic in mobility and transport research over the last decade. To investigate the complex nature of walkability, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is often suggested. This paper introduces a mixed methods approach applied in a research project exami...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225002672 |
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| author | Noriko Otsuka Janina Welsch Katrin Lättman Edward Prichard Anna-Lena van der Vlugt Jonas De Vos |
| author_facet | Noriko Otsuka Janina Welsch Katrin Lättman Edward Prichard Anna-Lena van der Vlugt Jonas De Vos |
| author_sort | Noriko Otsuka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Walkability has become a major topic in mobility and transport research over the last decade. To investigate the complex nature of walkability, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is often suggested. This paper introduces a mixed methods approach applied in a research project examining urban walkability at the neighbourhood scale in three European cities: Gothenburg, Dortmund and Genoa. Of the four methods used, our innovative citizen-science based Walking Route Assessment is the focus of this paper. The complementary roles of other methods (spatial modelling, household survey and walk-along interviews) are also discussed to reveal the benefits of mixed methods approaches for future walkability studies. The paper identified a set of prerequisites for improving perceived walkability. To enhance walking environments, more green space and place-making aspects should be taken into account, along with improving traffic safety and pedestrian environments through small interventions and the day-to-day maintenance of public spaces. The citizen-science led method played an important role in highlighting the areas for improving urban walkability, with photographic evidence. Cross-examination with the results from other methods provided deeper insights into people’s perceptions of their walking environment and routes on a neighbourhood scale. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5ee4bfe01a5b444c8b24a862e4af7fc1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-1982 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives |
| spelling | doaj-art-5ee4bfe01a5b444c8b24a862e4af7fc12025-08-26T04:14:31ZengElsevierTransportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives2590-19822025-09-013310158810.1016/j.trip.2025.101588Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability researchNoriko Otsuka0Janina Welsch1Katrin Lättman2Edward Prichard3Anna-Lena van der Vlugt4Jonas De Vos5Research group Mobilities and Space, ILS Research gGmbH, Brüderweg 22–24, Dortmund 44135, GermanyResearch group Mobilities and Space, ILS Research gGmbH, Brüderweg 22–24, Dortmund 44135, GermanyDepartment of Occupational Health, Psychology and Sports Sciences, University of Gävle, 80176, Kungsbäcksvägen 47, Gävle, SwedenDepartment of Occupational Health, Psychology and Sports Sciences, University of Gävle, 80176, Kungsbäcksvägen 47, Gävle, Sweden; Linköping University, Linköping 581 83, SwedenResearch group Mobilities and Space, ILS Research gGmbH, Brüderweg 22–24, Dortmund 44135, GermanyBartlett School of Planning, University College London, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0NN, UK; Corresponding author.Walkability has become a major topic in mobility and transport research over the last decade. To investigate the complex nature of walkability, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is often suggested. This paper introduces a mixed methods approach applied in a research project examining urban walkability at the neighbourhood scale in three European cities: Gothenburg, Dortmund and Genoa. Of the four methods used, our innovative citizen-science based Walking Route Assessment is the focus of this paper. The complementary roles of other methods (spatial modelling, household survey and walk-along interviews) are also discussed to reveal the benefits of mixed methods approaches for future walkability studies. The paper identified a set of prerequisites for improving perceived walkability. To enhance walking environments, more green space and place-making aspects should be taken into account, along with improving traffic safety and pedestrian environments through small interventions and the day-to-day maintenance of public spaces. The citizen-science led method played an important role in highlighting the areas for improving urban walkability, with photographic evidence. Cross-examination with the results from other methods provided deeper insights into people’s perceptions of their walking environment and routes on a neighbourhood scale.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225002672WalkabilityMixed methods approachWalking route assessmentBuilt environmentCitizen science |
| spellingShingle | Noriko Otsuka Janina Welsch Katrin Lättman Edward Prichard Anna-Lena van der Vlugt Jonas De Vos Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives Walkability Mixed methods approach Walking route assessment Built environment Citizen science |
| title | Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research |
| title_full | Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research |
| title_fullStr | Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research |
| title_short | Walking in urban neighbourhoods − Insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research |
| title_sort | walking in urban neighbourhoods insights from a mixed methods approach and citizen science in walkability research |
| topic | Walkability Mixed methods approach Walking route assessment Built environment Citizen science |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198225002672 |
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