Assessing the Influence of Greenery on the Behaviour of Road Users&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;

Karin Ausserer,Ralf Risser

doi:10.5507/tots.2018.002

Abstract

The share of active mobility in traffic - walking and cycling - can be increased by enhancing of the urban vegetation; this is the core assumption of the Austrian project GoGreen. The main objective of this research project was to elaborate criteria of the roadside greenery that need to be incorporated into the planning of urban and street spaces, and finally implemented in order to create a highly aesthetic and stimulating atmosphere in public spaces. In addition to literature studies, qualitative methods (expert interviews, focus groups) and quantitative methods (street surveys) were used in this project to identify the needs and wishes of the residents. Subsequently, internal and external workshops helped to design evaluation criteria and recommendations for ordinary measures for promoting and supporting active mobility. In this paper, we focus on the street surveys that allow a glimpse on how citizens perceive the relationship between appropriately set urban vegetation, with respect to safety and attractiveness among other things, and its potential to motivate (more) citizens to walk (more).

Highlights

International research, as well, showed that attractive design and equipment of roads, streets and places is one precondition for inciting people to walk instead of using the car for very short distances (< 1km; Gehl et al 2013, Hancrenci 2013, Bowler et al 2010, Zheng et al 2014, de Vries et al 2013, Krekel et al 2015)
In the project GoGreen that was financed by the Austrian Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology the relation between active mobility and the provision and character of green areas was analysed in more detail
Suggestions for measures to enhance the introduction of green areas viz. to adapt and improve the design and the quality of such areas were developed in the frame of workshops with experts and citizens: Literature Analysis The literature analysis incorporated an internet research accompanied by expert talks with colleagues, in order to get an overview of the state of the art and of national and international good practice examples with respect to greenery projects in various urban areas

Summary

Introduction

International research, as well, showed that attractive design and equipment of roads, streets and places is one precondition for inciting people to walk instead of using the car for very short distances (< 1km; Gehl et al 2013, Hancrenci 2013, Bowler et al 2010, Zheng et al 2014, de Vries et al 2013, Krekel et al 2015). In order to promote active and safe mobility, a useful and functional infrastructure together with the attractive design of open spaces, accessible and appreciated by the city’s residents, are required. Providing green areas in the public space is one way to enhance attractivity. Design measures include compound types of green vegetation in the streets and the creation of recreational areas in public open spaces which have effect on many societal, social, ethnic and microclimatic factors. The goal of the project was to develop policy criteria to be applied in connection with road and transport planning in order to generate a public space that would motivate (more) people to walk (more), which would have positive effects for both public health and the environment. The questions to be answered are: Where should green areas be placed, and how should they be designed in order to support active mobility?

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion