AN OVERVIEW OF WALKABILITY

 

The concept of walkability is related to how friendly an area is to pedestrian walking, shopping, living, and the benefits it includes for a community as a whole (Florida, 2014). Creating walkable communities is essential to urban planners because it helps in the fight to reduce environmental issues such as the emission of greenhouse gases while encouraging physical activity as a means of transport for citizens (Eunyoung, C, 2012). Promoting walkability in cities is necessary for the improvement of human health and the economic benefits that would ensue.

Cities are promoting the development of walkable communities as a means of improving social life, health, and economics by designing with sustainability in mind (Glanz & Tang, 2012). Despite these merits, walking has been disregarded in car-oriented urban environments (Kolody, 2002). Cars, developed in the early 1900s, have increasingly become an integral part of human activity and often function as the primary mode of transport for people and their pets. Consequently, the use of streets and public spaces, as well as their appearances, have been transformed. The advancement of newer means of transportation in Asian cities which were traditionally known for walkers has caused a change in the environment - an accommodation for the demand for motorised vehicles (Kolody, 2002).

The facilitation of motorised transportation has, therefore, altered the physical, social, and cultural functions of streets and public spaces (Kaiser et al., 2003). More households can afford motorised vehicles, and as a result, the roadways are congested with a corresponding increase in noise and air pollution. Walking is no longer deemed an easy, safe, and healthy means of manoeuvrability in a city.  

Tolley, R (2003) explained that walking is declining in Caribbean countries that generally have a high percentage of trips on foot. The main reasons put forward are travel distance and the switch in lifestyle to include a more car-oriented mode of transport. People’s travel depends on socioeconomic issues and personal needs and desires. While there is a great need to increase people’s interest in walking and cycling, the need for planned effective infrastructure will reduce the distance and time pedestrians walk. It is also necessary to work towards changing people’s attitudes and behaviours towards walking and cycling as modes of transport (Litman & Burwell, 2006).

In Guyana, the main challenges that prevent communities from walkability are that walking, cycling and the use of wheelchairs and other walking assistive devices were not included in the early land-use planning processes and transportation designs. According to the Greater Georgetown Planning Area Report and Draft Scheme (CHPA), road surfacing and maintenance is generally poor in communities such as Kitty.  Walkability was once the highest in the older parts of Georgetown such as Kitty Village, Lodge Village, Ruimveldt, La Penitence Village, and Blygezight where the streets were unsuitable for driving and have dead zones. An important aspect of walkable communities around the city of Georgetown is the design factor of supporting facilities. People are unlikely to walk to their destinations (even short distances) if the routes are considered unsafe or unsuitable for traversing. People look for a safe accessible network, in which they are encouraged and pleased to move comfortably. The idea of walkability in Guyana must be designed and prioritized for the people.