MUNDANE

INTRODUCTION

Walking has more social, health, and environmental benefits than other modes of transportation. It should be prioritized as a primary mode of transportation in sustainable cities. New Urbanism’s (NU) guiding principles encourage walkability by designing urban layouts that cater to pedestrian requirements. Against this backdrop, the aim of this research is to determine whether urban features influence walkability. To determine the relationship between walkability and NU in the context of post-industrial area restoration within the framework of urban regeneration.

IMAGE 01: pedestrian  movement around residential area (JAMES HOLYOAK)

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT OVER THE YEARS

In nineteenth-century cities, people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds thronged the streets day and night. The actual urban setting was not always as conducive to pedestrians as it is now. The roadways were occasionally muddy due to the enormous volumes of horse manure that were left behind. There were times when the sidewalks got smaller and the roads became congested. With a diverse array of vehicles. Cities were vibrant and boisterous hubs of activity. But in the nineteenth century, walking remained the main means of transit for most travelers. As a result, it became a normal aspect of urban life.

Even though a lot of people did continue to go places on foot for daily tasks throughout the 20th century. As a result pedestrian settings in both urban and rural areas grew more dangerous. Cars and trucks had an ever-increasing impact on pedestrian movement as motorized traffic rose in volume and speed. In particular, public roads underwent reconfiguration to make room for cars, which left pedestrians restricted to small sidewalks, hemmed in at intersections, and subjected to elevated pollution levels from moving cars. The lack of designated pedestrian space on small roadways in rural regions may put walkers in even greater danger.

BENEFITS OF PEDESTRIANIZATION

Enhancement of Mobility and Accessibility

Most of the time, better access for cars and other personal vehicle users in a given region results in bad access for walkers (Ravetz, 1980). Therefore, improving accessibility and mobility for users of sustainable modes must follow the prohibition of cars and other customized vehicles. Cars provide a more secure, fulfilling, and pleasurable environment than other forms of transportation, hence walking and cycling are less common (Kumar, 2006).

Social relationships and interaction

It is face-to-face interactions and communication that give urban life its vigor and excitement, and pedestrianized streets promote just that (Beatley and Manning, 2016, Engwicht, 1993). Pedestrian streets promote social interaction and communication by providing a public area (Gehl, 2011). Furthermore, higher traffic volumes have a substantial negative influence on neighborhood-level social interaction and community connectivity (Ross, 1999).

Reduction of air pollution

The effects of pedestrianization on the environment have been the subject of numerous studies conducted in the UK and throughout Europe. The majority of these research demonstrated the numerous advantages of pedestrianization for the environment. Chiquetto (1997), for example, examined the environmental impacts of pedestrianization. In Chester using a range of traffic and environmental prediction models.

CASE STUDY

Pedestrian Only Streets: Stroget, Copenhagen

Copenhagen begun the prepare of turning its major avenue, Strøget, into a person on foot region in 1962 as an test. The 1.15 km fundamental street’s transformation to a person on foot zone was respected as a groundbreaking endeavor, starting seriously open dialog earlier to the street’s change. One conclusion was that “Person on foot lanes will never work in Scandinavia.” Neighborhood commerce proprietors expressed, “No cars break even with no clients, and no clients rises to no commerce.”

GOALS

• Boost communication throughout the city center.
• Establish a refined and appealing setting.
• Make an area that is business-friendly.
• Urge a wide variety of people to reside in and visit the city center.
• Transform the city’s run-down alleyways into colorful laneways to bring them back to life.

IMAGE 02: chart showing difference in environment

CONCLUSION

The twenty-first century has shown the necessity of promoting more active travel and lowering the use of gasoline and diesel vehicles. Motor cars, which create areas that are bad for the environment and for people still dominate most metropolitan streets. Certain major cities, including London and Paris, have put limits on motor vehicles. Through initiatives including low emission zones, car-free days and areas, pavement widening, and congestion charges. However more extreme steps are needed to decreasing the use of autos. In addition Provide attractive streets for pedestrians and bikers, and provide workable alternatives through public transportation.