Assessing walkability in hot arid regions: the case of downtown Abu Dhabi

Abstract

Regarded as critical infrastructure for a city’s planning and design, pedestrian facilities are considered to be crucial to the health and economic well-being of a city’s inhabitants. This study assesses the walkable environment of two urban neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi’s main island. The research aims at providing the primary data required to facilitate the development of policies, design strategies, and systems that will support sustainable walking environments throughout the Emirate. Specifically, the study examines the walking behavior of the users of two neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi. The following questions were explored: (1) What patterns of walking behavior are observable in the street, and what are their diurnal and seasonal rhythms? (2) What potential reasons could explain the observed walking behavior? (3) To what extent do the built environment and climate affect walking in Abu Dhabi? (4) What particular strategies could be adopted to encourage walking in Abu Dhabi? Data collection and analysis tools include the following: (1) Geographic Information Systems (GIS), (2) fieldwork, and (3) qualitative data assembled from a survey questionnaire. Survey results presented walking as a widely used form of non-motorized transportation for both leisure and utilitarian purposes among blue-collar employees working in the service and retail sectors. Transportation, entertainment, physical fitness, and health were reported as major reasons for walking. Although participants’ walking patterns were not significantly affected by climate, respondents reported that weather was the main source of discomfort while walking. Policy and design changes, infrastructure enhancement, and potential shading methods are proposed to enhance the walking experience.