Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between people’s actual walking experience and their social capital levels in order to examine the possibility of restoring weakened social functions of streets and public spaces in a walking-friendly urban environment. Based on the survey data of 591 residents of Seoul, we empirically analyzed the relationship between walking experience for various purposes and individual perceptions of social capital using one-way ANOVA and OLS regression models. As a result of the analysis, we found that the levels of neighborly trust and networking of people who experienced leisure walking were higher than those of people who did not, while there was no difference in the level of social capital according to walking experiences for other purposes. This result is significant in that it shows the basis for the restoration of the social function of neighborhoods through social capital formation of people as an effect of walking. Hence, it is important to create a walking environment that supports leisure activities.
Highlights
In car-oriented cities, environmental problems caused by fossil energy consumption, increase in social costs due to traffic congestion, and personal health problems such as adult diseases caused by the prevalent use of private vehicles and a sedentary lifestyle are becoming common [1]
Based on the survey data, the characteristics of walking behaviors according to purpose, gender, and age were examined, and the differences in perceptions of social capital levels according to an individual walking level were analyzed
We found that the people who had walked for leisure had higher levels of neighborly trust and neighborly networks than those who did not
Summary
In car-oriented cities, environmental problems caused by fossil energy consumption, increase in social costs due to traffic congestion, and personal health problems such as adult diseases caused by the prevalent use of private vehicles and a sedentary lifestyle are becoming common [1]. In 2013, the government of Seoul announced a people-oriented urban transportation policy that included elements such as expanding walkways, installing pedestrian-only streets, and introducing complete streets that pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles can use together, so as to create pedestrian-friendly spaces [2] In this way, the interest in a walking-friendly environment has been focused on finding physical environment factors with which to create it. Many studies have been actively conducted to verify the relationship between the physical environment of the city and the walking of individuals, especially in North American cities where the obesity of adults is one of serious problems, and private car dependency is high The results of these studies converge on the conclusion that high population density, mixed land use, and small blocks are the main physical factors of a walking-friendly environment [1,3]
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