Course:
"Walkability: value, design and planning principles, and measurement of the effects for sustainable cities"
Language:
EN
KO
Form:
on-line / in-person
Duration:
4:30 hours (on-line)
Aligned with SDG:
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
Walking lies at the heart of sustainability. As a transport mode, it requires no external energy sources; as a form of low-intensity physical activity, it promotes health and happiness. Walkability, defined by the quality of the built environment for walking, not only supports energy efficiency but also contributes to urban vibrancy by enhancing access for residents, tourists, and visitors. In the short term, it supports liveability; in the long term, it contributes to broader goals such as physical and mental health, low carbon mobility, social inclusion, economic vitality, and ecological conservation, all of which can be reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From Garden Cities and Modernism to contemporary urban movements, walkability has stood in contrast to car-reliant urban sprawl. It has become central to the sustainable urban design, shaping approaches such as New Urbanism, compact cities, resilient cities, 15-minute cities, and smart cities. However, walkability remains contested. Despite its clear benefits, walkability remains difficult to implement due to competing land uses, car-oriented planning, and fragmented decision-making. High-density development, for example, can raise concerns about anonymity, social isolation, infrastructure demand and maintenance costs. This highlights the need for nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to walkable urban design.
This session explores walkability as a foundation for sustainable cities by examining its concepts, values, and key design and planning principles. It identifies global best practices and policies and presents methods for assessing walkability and its impacts. The course emphasises the importance of walkability for quality of life at city, neighbourhood, and street levels. It aims to support city representatives and the public in making evidence-based decisions, particularly when balancing walkability over other interests such as vehicle use, economic development, and land use demands. Finally, it encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, helping planners, designers, health professionals, and others work together toward more walkable and vibrant cities.
Walking lies at the heart of sustainability. As a transport mode, it requires no external energy sources; as a form of low-intensity physical activity, it promotes health and happiness. Walkability, defined by the quality of the built environment for walking, not only supports energy efficiency but also contributes to urban vibrancy by enhancing access for residents, tourists, and visitors. In the short term, it supports liveability; in the long term, it contributes to broader goals such as physical and mental health, low carbon mobility, social inclusion, economic vitality, and ecological conservation, all of which can be reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From Garden Cities and Modernism to contemporary urban movements, walkability has stood in contrast to car-reliant urban sprawl. It has become central to the sustainable urban design, shaping approaches such as New Urbanism, compact cities, resilient cities, 15-minute cities, and smart cities. However, walkability remains contested. Despite its clear benefits, walkability remains difficult to implement due to competing land uses, car-oriented planning, and fragmented decision-making. High-density development, for example, can raise concerns about anonymity, social isolation, infrastructure demand and maintenance costs. This highlights the need for nuanced, context-sensitive approaches to walkable urban design.
This session explores walkability as a foundation for sustainable cities by examining its concepts, values, and key design and planning principles. It identifies global best practices and policies and presents methods for assessing walkability and its impacts. The course emphasises the importance of walkability for quality of life at city, neighbourhood, and street levels. It aims to support city representatives and the public in making evidence-based decisions, particularly when balancing walkability over other interests such as vehicle use, economic development, and land use demands. Finally, it encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, helping planners, designers, health professionals, and others work together toward more walkable and vibrant cities.
DR SANG HEE KIM
Dr Sang Hee Kim is the founding director of Urban Regeneration Plus, a London-based consultancy specialising in urban planning, regeneration, and public space design. She holds a PhD from the Bartlett School of Planning at University College London, where her research focused on how urban environments shape social experience, walkability, and inclusion in everyday public life. She also holds a BSc and MSc in Architectural Engineering from Seoul National University.
Dr Kim’s professional background spans architecture, urban design, and planning, with experience in both Korea and the UK. She has worked on a range of projects, including town centre regeneration, pedestrian-friendly street design, and the strategic management of public spaces. In both her academic and professional roles, her work addresses complex and interconnected issues such as walkability, social infrastructure, community vitality, and urban sustainability. Her approach bridge spatial design and policy, with a particular interest in how built environments influence human behaviour and social interaction. Combining spatial thinking with evidence-based methods, she aims to support inclusive, healthy, and resilient urban environments.
The course will be led by Bartosz Bartoszewicz, a highly accomplished former Deputy Mayor with nearly two decades of experience in local government. Throughout his distinguished career, he has been at the forefront of urban transformation and digital innovation, winning the prestigious Innovation in Politics Award, organised by the Austrian Innovation in Politics Institute. This recognition highlights his outstanding contribution to advancing smart city initiatives and improving quality of life through innovative policies.
Bartosz holds a Doctorate, with his doctoral thesis focusing on the quality of life in urban areas—an area that remains central to his work in public administration and city management. As an academic lecturer, he has taught sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of leaders and urban policymakers. His extensive experience in both theory and practice has enabled him to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application, enriching his teaching and professional approach.
In addition to his academic work, Bartosz delivered presentations at international conferences on urbanisation, sustainable city management, and digital transformation. His insights have shaped discussions on the future of cities, particularly regarding the integration of smart technologies and sustainable urban planning. His work provides a deep dive into how cities can harness technology to improve residents' lives while promoting sustainability and resilience.
With a career spanning leadership, academia, and international speaking engagements, Bartosz Bartoszewicz offers a wealth of knowledge and practical insights. He combines the experience of a long-serving mayor with a solid academic foundation, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of urban transformation. Participants in the course will gain invaluable knowledge from his diverse background, exploring both the practical and theoretical aspects of innovation, urban management, and smart city development.
PROGRAM
- economic, social and environmental value of walkability (1 hour):
This session examines how walkable environments foster social inclusion and resilience through everyday social experience, support physical and mental health through increased activity, and contribute to low-carbon transport and ecological preservation. It also explores the role of walkability in driving local economic development by creating vibrant, attractive environments, lowering public health costs, and increasing property values through efficient land use. This segment draws on robust and multidisciplinary evidence to support these claims.
- design and planning principles and elements (1 hour):
This session discusses key physical elements that support walkability across population, neighbourhood, and street levels, including streetscapes, green infrastructure, multi-use spaces, placemaking and tactical urbanism. This particularly emphasises how specific design features can enhance social inclusion and strengthen social cohesion.
- best practices and policy approaches (1 hour):
This reviews globally recognised projects that demonstrate how successful walkability initiatives manage trade-offs and engage stakeholders early in the process. Case studies include Healthy Streets for London, New York’s Times Square pedestrianisation, Barcelona’s Superblocks, Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration, and Paris’ 15-Minute City innitiative.
- methods for measuring walkability and its impacts (1 hour):
This session introduces both objective and subjective approaches, and methods applied at city-wide, community and individual levels. It covers spatial and physical analysis using tools such as Euclidean distance, walkability indices, and space syntax; computational methods such as GPS and mobile phone data; and qualitative techniques including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and on-site audits. These methods assess both the form and function of walkable environments, including user perception and actual use.
- discussion (30 minutes):
The final session invites participants to reflect on how walkability can be prioritised in their own cities. This conversation encourages consideration of economic, social, and environmental returns, and explores how different professional sectors can collaborate to implement more walkable, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments.
This session examines how walkable environments foster social inclusion and resilience through everyday social experience, support physical and mental health through increased activity, and contribute to low-carbon transport and ecological preservation. It also explores the role of walkability in driving local economic development by creating vibrant, attractive environments, lowering public health costs, and increasing property values through efficient land use. This segment draws on robust and multidisciplinary evidence to support these claims.
- design and planning principles and elements (1 hour):
This session discusses key physical elements that support walkability across population, neighbourhood, and street levels, including streetscapes, green infrastructure, multi-use spaces, placemaking and tactical urbanism. This particularly emphasises how specific design features can enhance social inclusion and strengthen social cohesion.
- best practices and policy approaches (1 hour):
This reviews globally recognised projects that demonstrate how successful walkability initiatives manage trade-offs and engage stakeholders early in the process. Case studies include Healthy Streets for London, New York’s Times Square pedestrianisation, Barcelona’s Superblocks, Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration, and Paris’ 15-Minute City innitiative.
- methods for measuring walkability and its impacts (1 hour):
This session introduces both objective and subjective approaches, and methods applied at city-wide, community and individual levels. It covers spatial and physical analysis using tools such as Euclidean distance, walkability indices, and space syntax; computational methods such as GPS and mobile phone data; and qualitative techniques including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and on-site audits. These methods assess both the form and function of walkable environments, including user perception and actual use.
- discussion (30 minutes):
The final session invites participants to reflect on how walkability can be prioritised in their own cities. This conversation encourages consideration of economic, social, and environmental returns, and explores how different professional sectors can collaborate to implement more walkable, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments.
COURSE METHOLODOGY:
This session is delivered as structured, presentation-based online training. It focuses on delivering clear, well-organised content through thematic modules supported by visual frameworks, academic insight, and international case studies. This session also includes opportunities for brief participant interaction, reflection, and Q&A to reinforce key themes and allow for clarification.
This session is delivered as structured, presentation-based online training. It focuses on delivering clear, well-organised content through thematic modules supported by visual frameworks, academic insight, and international case studies. This session also includes opportunities for brief participant interaction, reflection, and Q&A to reinforce key themes and allow for clarification.
COURSE SUMMARY:
This training session explores walkability as a key element of sustainable urban development. Through a structured, presentation-based format, it introduces the concept of walkability, its historical and theoretical foundations, and its social, economic, environmental, and health-related benefits. Participants will learn about core design and planning principles, examine international best practices, and explore methods for assessing walkability at different urban scales. The session is grounded in academic research and policy relevance, and is designed for city representatives, urban professionals, and members of the public interested in creating more inclusive, healthy, and vibrant cities. It encourages evidence-based thinking and cross-sector collaboration for more walkable urban futures.
This training session explores walkability as a key element of sustainable urban development. Through a structured, presentation-based format, it introduces the concept of walkability, its historical and theoretical foundations, and its social, economic, environmental, and health-related benefits. Participants will learn about core design and planning principles, examine international best practices, and explore methods for assessing walkability at different urban scales. The session is grounded in academic research and policy relevance, and is designed for city representatives, urban professionals, and members of the public interested in creating more inclusive, healthy, and vibrant cities. It encourages evidence-based thinking and cross-sector collaboration for more walkable urban futures.