Informed Walkable City Model - Developing A Multi-Objective Optimization Model for Evaluating Walkability Concept

Abstract

This study presents an informed city analysis methodology as a tool for evaluating the concept of walkability for the existing urban area. The aim of this study was to propose an integrative approaches enable optimization of urban design element and walkability amenities under certain walkability performance criteria. The parametric methods are being developed in three stages of modeling: 1) City data modeling; 2) Walkability scores and indicators modeling; 3) Optimization model of the urban area. In the walk score algorithm, we modified three elements that determine walk score result: Walk Score Categories, Distance Decay Function and Pedestrian Friendliness Metric. We developed the customized algorithm based on the data gathered from field observation and sample interviews to normalize and define values in the walk score algorithm. The result is a parametric model to evaluate walkability concept in a certain urban area considering quantified factors that determine walkability scores. The model furthermore seeks to optimize walkability score by assessing new amenities on an existing urban area using multi-objective optimization method that produces an integrative method of urban analysis.