Investigating and boosting walkability in Sulaimani’s mixed-use streets: Jamal Irfan street as a case study
https://doi.org/10.24017/science.2017.3.29
Abstract views: 1472 / PDF downloads: 1176Abstract
Walkable cities, neighborhoods, and streets promote good health. A growing number of research show compelling evidence about the positive impacts of walkable neighborhoods and streets on everything from real-estate values to health, mental well-being, crime rate, safety feeling, creativity, and even making cities more democratic. Walkability has health, environmental, and economic benefits. For example, several studies found that people in walkable neighborhoods have a higher amount of physical activity and were substantially less likely to be overweight or obese than those living in low-walkable neighborhoods. Walkable neighborhoods and streets incorporate features that promote regular walking, cycling and public transit use. While the city of Sulaimani in general suffers from lack of walkable neighborhoods and streets, due to many factors including incomplete streets, some of the city’s neighborhoods and streets have potential for becoming effective walkable neighborhoods and streets. The recent mixed use developments and re-developments in some of the areas and streets in the city have attracted a large number of people and increased the necessity of making those areas and streets more pedestrian-friendly and walkable. This research aims at investigating walkability characters in Sulaimani city’s recently developed mixed-use streets through closely examining a representing case study, Jamal Irfan street. The research then proposes strategies, guidelines, and urban design interventions that make those streets more pedestrian friendly according to urban design standards.
Keywords:
Walkability, pedestrian friendliness, physical activity, safety, neighborhood and public space quality, urban design and planning.
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[3] D. Scopelliti, J. Hargrave, S. Claris and C. Luebkeman, "Cities alive", http://www.plataformaurbana.cl/, 2016. [Online]. Available: http://cdn.plataformaurbana.cl/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/informe-arup-cities-alive.pdf. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
[4] D. Sinnett, K. Williams, K. Chatterjee and N. Cavill, "Making the case for investment in the walking environment: A review of the evidence", University of the West of England, Bristol, and Cavill Associates, London, 2011.
[5] D. Forkenbrock, S. Benshoff and G. Weisbrod, "Guidebook for assessing the social and economic effects of transportation projects", National Research Council, Iowa City, Iowa, 2001.
[6] A. Mantri, "A GIS based approach to measure walkability of a neighborhood", MSc., University of Cincinnati, Hyderabad, India., 2008.
[7] T. Litman and S. Fitzroy, "Evaluating mobility management traffic safety impacts", Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 2017.
[8] J. Gilderbloom, W. Riggs and W. Meares, "Does walkability matter? An examination of walkability's impact on housing values, foreclosures and crime", Cities, vol. 42, pp. 13-24, 2015.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2014.08.001
[9] "Developing a walking strategy", http://www.victoriawalks.org.au, 2013. [Online]. Available: http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/Assets/Files/Final_Guide_Walking_Strategies_WEB.pdf. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
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https://doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2010.244
[13] C. Montgomery, "The secrets of the world's happiest cities", the Guardian, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/nov/01/secrets-worlds-happiest-cities-commute-property-prices. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
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https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9442.2008.00542.x
[15]"The economic benefits of walking", Victoriawalks.org.au, 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.victoriawalks.org.au/economic_benefits/. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
[16] M. Oppezzo and D. Schwartz, "Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking.", Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 1142-1152, 2014.
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036577
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[18] "Doing our bit: Cycling and walking", Sustainable-environment.org.uk, 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.sustainable-environment.org.uk/Doing_Our_Bit/Cycling_and_Walking.php. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
[19] J. Speck, "The walkable city", Ted.com, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_speck_the_walkable_city. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-899-2
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[21] L. Gemzøe, "Quality for people, a set of quality criteria for the design of pedestrian places and networks: With people in mind", in The 7th International Conference on Walking and Liveable Communities, Melbourne, Australia, 2006.
[22] S. Ng, C. Lai, P. Liao, M. Lao, W. Lau, S. Govada and W. Spruijt, "Measuring and Improving Walkability in Hong Kong", Civic Exchange and UDP International, 2016.
[23] "Making streets welcoming for walking", www.changelabsolutions.org, 2013. [Online]. Available: http://www.changelabsolutions.org/sites/default/files/Streets-Welcome-for-Walking_FINAL_20131206_0.pdf;. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2008.01.024
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[26] M. Ernst and B. McCann, "Mean streets 2002", 2004.
[27] D. Rodriguez, "Active transportation: Making the link from transportation to physical activity and obesity", Active Living Research, San Diego, 2009.
[28] P. Hess, A. Moudon, M. Snyder and K. Stanilov, "Site Design and Pedestrian Travel", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, vol. 1674, pp. 9-19, 1999.
https://doi.org/10.3141/1674-02
[29] C. Addy, D. Wilson, K. Kirtland, B. Ainsworth, P. Sharpe and D. Kimsey, "Associations of Perceived Social and Physical Environmental Supports With Physical Activity and Walking Behavior", American Journal of Public Health, vol. 94, no. 3, pp. 440-443, 2004.
https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.94.3.440
[30] "Relationship between speed and risk of fatal injury: Pedestrians and car occupants", https://nacto.org, 2010. [Online]. Available: https://nacto.org/docs/usdg/relationship_between_speed_risk_fatal_injury_pedestrians_and_car_occupants_richards.pdf. [Accessed: 29- Aug- 2017].
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How to Cite
[1]
M. Jamal, W. Khasraw, S. Khabat, and R. K. Mohammed-Amin, “Investigating and boosting walkability in Sulaimani’s mixed-use streets: Jamal Irfan street as a case study”, KJAR, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 397–409, Aug. 2017, doi: 10.24017/science.2017.3.29.
Published
27-08-2017
Issue
Section
Pure and Applied Science
