https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132427 2026-04-20T18:52:52Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132488 Title: Assessing perceived walkability through pedestrian experiences using a citizen science approach Abstract: There is a growing body of literature suggesting that studies on the walkable environment cannot be abstracted from its social setting and should be assessed through the citizens who experience it. Pedestrian perceptions and experiences towards the walkable environment should play an integral part in studying, planning and designing public space. But unlike predominant walkability assessments based on objective observations and measures, pedestrian-centred approaches based on subjective and qualitative experiences require new ways of observing, measuring, analysing and interpreting the walkable environment. This study proposes an innovative research methodology based on a pedestrian-centred walkability assessment, in which participants simultaneously share georeferenced experiences and other observations on the walkable environment as part of their daily routine. As a result, this method provides a new way to assess perceived walkability supported by related objective data that add more precision, reliability and further insights to the study. On the one hand, a conceptual operationalisation of the perceived walkable environment based on four indicators (perception of safety, comfort, pleasantness and vibrancy) allows pedestrians to systematically share experiences in a structured way. Thus, pedestrians can rate perceived walkability through the following dichotomous variables: safe or unsafe, comfortable or uncomfortable, pleasant or unpleasant, and vibrant or dull. On the other hand, participants can include objective observations to identifying any type of components or characteristics of the walkable environment considered relevant for their experiences. A perceived walkability index is developed to combine all these data and assess the degree and spatial distribution of perceived walkability. Furthermore, pedestrians’ observations on the walkable environment are analysed to identify the most relevant environmental determinants that influence their experiences, both a positive and negative way. Sentiment, content and spatial analysis provide a better understanding on the underlying relationships between the walkable environment and pedestrian experiences. The study applies citizen science principles in participatory walkability research to engage and maintain volunteers, ensure data quality and the long-term viability of the project. It also explores the benefits and challenges of using WhatsApp as the main technological infrastructure for continuous data collection and communication during the project. This approach is empirically tested in a case study in Malta, where every day pedestrians shared information about how different elements and characteristics of the walkable environment influence their walking experiences. At a national scale, safety was the most relevant type of experience shared by pedestrians, with significantly more unsafe (70%) than safe experiences (30%). The main determinants linked to unsafe experiences were absence or poor pavements, exposure to traffic and lack of crossings, whereas safe experiences were mainly related to wide pavements, public parks and no or low exposure to traffic. However, results varied considerable between different localities and at street scale. Results show which areas are considered pedestrian-friendly and which require improvement in safety, comfort, pleasantness or vibrancy, while identifying the most relevant determinants influencing such experiences. This can greatly assist policy and planning by prioritizing areas and specific interventions towards a more pedestrian-friendly Malta. Despite some challenges for data collection, process and analysis related to large citizen social science projects, the results of the case study proved the suitability and effectiveness of this innovative method for community research projects on walkability, especially for local case studies. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z