Abstract
Purpose – In success of brick and mortar (B&M) retail markets, pedestrian friendly urban design plays a pivotal role. Variables affecting walkability have significant social, economic and environmental benefits in B&M retail markets. Through qualitative analysis from field and public agency survey, this paper evaluates the walkability index of retail markets in and along, Chaura bazar road, Ludhiana. Design/ methodology/ approach – Safety, Comfort and Convenience are three important pillars for sustainable urban design for pedestrian in B&M retail markets. Multiple methods including Global walking Index (GWI), Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS) and Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) are available to measure urban environment related to walking in particular region. For analysis of selected market, GWI method was chosen owing to the fact that it is the best worldwide applicable method to perform walkability qualitative analysis. Findings – Irrespective of the fact that pedestrians are the most important users in B&M retail markets, Walkability Index of study area is 27, which is minimal walkable range. Thus, to increase walkability, it is much needed for architects, planners and policy makers to implement actions to improve safety, comfort and convenience of pedestrian in all potential B&M retail markets. Originality – Walkability is one of the important concepts in urban planning and this paper highlights influencing factors to promote walking in B&M retail market. Indeed, in cities like Ludhiana, huge potential in retail industry is available, thus qualitative analysis of B&M retail markets is needed to attain a sustainable urban environment. Under scope, in terms of walkability, existing markets in Chaura bazar, Ludhiana have been analyzed.
Highlights
IntroductionWalkability- A Step towards Sustainable Urban Environment
With advancement in technology, urban planning shifted from pedestrian to motor-oriented designing, but keeping future in mind for sustainable urban environment, attention should be given to pedestrian friendly urban planning
With help of five local volunteer, mostly undergraduate architecture student, who were trained in audit application, assessed pedestrian condition according to nine criteria of Global walking Index (GWI)
Summary
Walkability- A Step towards Sustainable Urban Environment. With advancement in technology, urban planning shifted from pedestrian to motor-oriented designing, but keeping future in mind for sustainable urban environment, attention should be given to pedestrian friendly urban planning. Considering pedestrian friendly design well-established literature is available which depicts that along with social, economic, environmental benefits, it has positive impact on physical and mental health of user in urban environment. For health benefit of population, planners should create environment which rely on walking and cycling rather on private motor vehicles [2]. Pedestrian oriented, mixed used neighborhood design enhances social capital by increasing interaction among users [4]. For B&M retail markets, urban environment should be designed keeping pedestrian user safety, comfort and convenience on priority for sustainable design. Social interaction is the maximum and customer feels connected with surroundings
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