Qualitative Assessment for Walkability: Duhok University Campus as a Case Study

Abstract

The University Campus as a learning environment needs to be a safe comfortable and accessible place, where students enjoy walking and social interaction. This study evaluates the quality of walking environment by analyzing both physical features of streets sidewalks and individual perceptions of pedestrians. The research approaches to answer the question: To what extent is the University Campus safe and attractive for the students to walk? The research used mix methods and case study approach to achieve study objectives. The mix methods include onsite observation, visual survey and questionnaire with students using walkability checklist to determine the walking quality on streets sidewalks. In this regard four variables are considered based on previous literature review as; safety and pedestrians' facilities, comfortable walking environment, walking connectivity and lastly walking attractiveness. The result shows that the lack of safety and pedestrian facilities, poor designed sidewalks and connectivity leads to low level of walkability and increase car dependency in the study area. The findings provide guidelines for increasing the efficiency of walking, in order to encourage students to choose walking over car driving.