Walkability: concept and application

• Grant number: 15/13297-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: September 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Project
• Principal Investigator: Gisela Cunha Viana Leonelli
• Grantee: Rafael Ferreira Marengoni
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nowadays, the concept of "walkability" has shown itself evermore present in the theory and practice of urban design, with the clear intent to foster communities and to strengthen pedestrianism in cities. This research intends to comprehend the concept of walkability, and how it has been applied by urban management entities, specifically looking into urban planning, land use regulation and design. The case study chosen to do so is the city of Melbourne, Australia. For the fulfilment of this research the student will carry out the following activities: literature review on urban design, a conceptual study of walkability in Melbourne, how the concept translates into design and how it could be applied for a neighborhood in Campinas - SP. The investigation aspires to contribute to the further understanding of "walkability" as a concept and how it is articulated with urban planning, regulation and design instruments.