Exploring the Relationship Between Walkability and the Built Environment: A Case Study of Three Intersections in Seattle's University District

Abstract

The relationship between walkability and the built environment has come to the forefront of urban planning research in recent years. Planners and public health officials alike acknowledge that the built environment can encourage or hinder walking, which in turn can affect physical activity levels. This study examined the literature to determine what elements of the built environment contribute to walkability. Design guidelines for walkability were developed based on the evidence found through the literature review. The study then applied these guidelines to three intersections in the University District of Seattle in order to demonstrate how guidelines such as these can effect simple changes in the built environment, potentially making a significant difference in the ways we choose to travel. This study is useful in showing which built environment characteristics influence walkability. It also illustrates that design guidelines for walkability, such as those presented in this study, can help planners and policymakers create walkable environments that encourage physical activity.