WALKABILITY ASSESSMENT OF URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND GENDER PERSPECTIVE, CASE OF TIRANA

Abstract

This thesis aims to create a walkability assessment and quantification of urban neighbourhoods, by examining pedestrian and street infrastructure, and by also providing a gender perspective and creating strategy guidelines for a walkable neighborhood. Walkability has been defined as the level of friendliness towards the pedestrian environment, with all it’s elements. It is also proven to have a range of benefits in health, safety, economy, livability in building a more sustainable city. Cities are not gender-neutral. (Gauvin, 2020). Research also shows that there are differences when it comes to factors that influence gender walking, which urban planners do not take into considerations. The study takes place in Tirana, a city of particular development due to its late bloom in urban infrastructure and mobility, with cars taking over after the fall of communism and their consideration as a luxury and a status symbol, in contrast to the continued neglection of walking infrastructure. Using a mixed-method approach, this study aims to create a visualized walkability assessment mapping, and hopes to aid in answering questions like: How to assess walkability in terms of city, neighbourhood and street level. Survey participants (n=616) and focused expert interviews ranked pedestrian infrastructure and sidewalk issues, altoghether with design standards as the walkability elements with the lowest score. Results also showed differences in gender related to safety and walkability perception. The study visualizes city and neighbourhood analysis thorugh mapping, illustrations and photos. Hopefully, this thesis will serve as a means of analysis for further research in the urban mobility of Tirana.