People, Decisions, Place: Exploring the Urban Walking Experience in Glasgow ( poster )

Abstract

Background Wayfinding, mobility planning, and the design of the urban environment tend to emphasize walking as a function, as a means to get people from A to B directly and efficiently. However, this mindset fails to recognize the emotion-based decisions we make every day while walking – such as choosing to walk down a quiet laneway over a bustling mainstreet. The experience of walking through a city is unique to each individual and ever-changing. A walker is constantly making decisions in response to the environment and their own needs in a given moment. How can these varied experiences be captured in the analysis, planning, and design of our cities? Aim The aim of this exploratory design research project was to bridge the gap between wayfinding and placemaking practices and develop a research framework for understanding urban walking. Method The project research included literature reviews, examination of existing analysis tools, and interviews with leading wayfinding and urban design professionals. That work was followed by a series of observational exercises that involved going on walks with people around Glasgow, Scotland. Results Terminology was developed to expose and represent dimensions of choice and emotion, so that these factors can be integrated into formal design and planning discussion. The initial framework identified that it is possible to recognize and consider a broad range of people, experiences, and journeys for analysis, planning and design of walking networks. In particular, the research and proposed framework demonstrated that decision-making based on emotions has value alongside factors such as efficiency, accessibility, and legibility. Conclusions The work examines and proposes an approach towards creating a more integrated, cross-disciplinary method to design for walkability and the pedestrian experience. Through use of the framework, it is hoped that more informed, integrated, and thoughtful design decisions can be made that affect the quality of our everyday experience and interaction in the urban, public realm. This project contributes to the design knowledge base by connecting disparate ideas and developing analytical terminology that brings the personal experience of place to the forefront of professional discussion.