Walkability analysis of Busan’s urban residential zones

Abstract

This study assesses residential walking environments and the overall walkability of three types of communities in Busan, South Korea, and proposes a walkability index for better residential zone walking conditions. To successfully contribute to research and policy regarding residential zone walking environments, we measured the walkability of three distinct types of general residential zones using an index consisting of 59 features. These features were categorized under characteristics such as traffic safety, diverse destinations, crime safety, accessibility, and pleasurability. We then employed stepwise regression analysis to examine significant environmental factors among the index’s features. The results indicate that Class I residential zones have poor basic pedestrian infrastructure. However, Class III residential zones required improvement of the psychological and social environments surrounding walkways rather than improving the pedestrian infrastructure itself. Interestingly, the results also showed that Class II residential zones required complex improvements to both the infrastructure and the psychological and social walking environment.