A European perspective on GIS-based walkability and active modes of transport

Research reveals that walkability measures, particularly household unit density, mixed land use proportions, and intersection densities, significantly correlate with walking for transport in European cities like Graz. While established walkability indices (e.g., IPEN) also show positive associations, alternative measures perform comparably well, suggesting their potential applicability in European contexts. The study highlights that cycling for transport is universally linked to higher walkability across all measured indices. Conducted using a representative survey of 843 adults and GIS-based analyses, the findings underscore the need for further investigation into measurement nuances affecting walking outcomes.

Grasser, G., van Dyck, D., Titze, S., & Stronegger, W. J. (2016). A European perspective on GIS-based walkability and active modes of transport. The European Journal of Public Health, ckw118. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckw118