Comparing accessibility and connectivity metrics derived from dedicated pedestrian networks and street networks in the context of Asian cities

Abstract

Studies that compare accessibility and connectivity metrics derived from pedestrian and street networks have been conducted in urban environments outside of Asia. This creates uncertainty concerning the performance of measures calculated on pedestrian networks globally. The purpose of this research is to: (1) develop a dedicated pedestrian network approach suitable for Asian cities; and (2) further develop understanding of pedestrian accessibility and connectivity by including centrality metrics rarely applied to dedicated pedestrian networks before comparing results across network representations. In total, eight networks were created – one dedicated pedestrian and street network each centred on metro stations in Bangkok, Manila, Osaka, and Taipei chosen to represent different urban typologies. Results indicate substantial differences between values calculated on both networks. Measures that have no distance component are particularly susceptible to how the pedestrian network is represented, while distance-based and centrality measures are less affected and more stable across urban forms.