Urban walkability profiles in Brisbane

Abstract

Walkability is considered a critical factor that has shaped pre-industrial cities, and today it is promoted as the central element to achieve sustainable urban design and resilient communities. This paper aims to identify walkability profiles specific to Brisbane, Australia, one of the Australasian region’s fastest growing cities. The study seeks to understand if the specific urban conditions of Brisbane impact people’s attitude towards walking. Data on Brisbane walkability have been collected through a quantitative methodology; findings reveal that Brisbane pedestrians walk an average of 28-35 minutes daily, covering a maximum of 3.3 kilometers. The research also indicates that age is not a critical factor influencing walking times or distances and that the movement speed for distances below 10 kilometers is comparable to the average of other transport modes (car and public transport). This research is a pilot study to understand Brisbane’s walkability and to inform future research on sustainable urban design in the region.