Active Living for Sustainable Future: A Model to Measure “Walk Scores” via Geographic Information Systems

AbstractIn 2007 a private firm in Seattle, Washington began to measure and publish walkability maps of cities, neighborhoods, and streets via “walkscore.com”. Although “walkscore” have been criticized for its parameters, no alternative have been provided so far. More over, such maps have been published for developed countries. No such initiative has been undertaken in developing countries. This study aims to introduce and discuss an alternative model to measure walkability on street level via Geographic Information Systems (GIS). About 6500 street segments in nine districts of Izmır, Turkey have been digitized as well as the land use. A walkability score (based on betweenness / centrality scores derived from street network and accessibility scores derived from landuse) for each street segment was measured via GIS and its extension Spatial Design Network Analysis (SDNA)

Obesity, Physical Activity, Spatial Environmental Characteristics in Three Types of Residential Settings

AbstractObesity relates to physical activity and the level of physical activity a person could be involved is influenced by his/her physical environment. This study aims to investigate the relation between these characteristics via an empirical study, in Izmir, Turkey. Randomly selected 676 people completed household surveys and revealed their address, body mass index (BMI) and mean energy consumption for various activities (PA). The study area involved planned and unplanned developments for low, moderate, and high income neighborhoods. Three spatial setting characteristics (SC) were calculated for the streets within 400 meter network distance to each participants’ residence via geographic information systems: (1) destination density, (2) accessibility to destinations and (3) betweenness index. The participants’ mean BMI and PA and the spatial setting characteristics were compared in low, middle and high income neighborhoods. Results, showed no differences

Active Living For Sustainable Future: A model to measure "walk scores" via Geographic Information Systems

In 2007 a private firm in Seattle, Washington began to measure and publish walkability maps of cities, neighborhoods, and streets via "walkscore. com". Although "walkscore" have been criticized for its parameters, no alternative have been provided so far. More over, such maps have been published for developed countries. No such initiative has been undertaken in developing countries. This study aims to introduce and discuss an alternative model to measure walkability on street level via Geographic Information Systems (GIS). About 6500 street segments in nine districts of Izmir, Turkey have been digitized as well as the land use. A walkability score (based on betweenness / centrality scores derived from street network and accessibility scores derived from landuse) for each street segment was measured via GIS and its extension Spatial Design Network Analysis (SDNA). (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd