Measuring Walkability in the Digital Age: Data-led Analysis and Spatial Modelling

This chapter focuses on the contribution of spatial modelling in investigating ‘active school travel’ – a key component of walkable and sustainable environments. Applying a data-led methodology, this study explores the effect of street network design and school social characteristics on rates of walking to primary schools in urban and rural locations in England. Travel mode data from 145 urban and rural schools participating in a charity-led incentivisation scheme for walking to school (Living Streets, England) are analysed. School environments (800m buffers around the schools) are spatially modelled using a wide range of street connectivity measures, including those from space syntax. Spatial modelling and statistical analyses indicate that, in addition to socio-economic indicators (e.g., higher average household income), increased street connectivity around homes and schools is associated with higher walk-to-school rates, with evident implications for policy and practice. This chapter argues that street network layout design should be considered in planning and urban design, particularly in areas surrounding primary schools or when locating new schools, to address some of our most important health (e.g., childhood obesity), environmental (e.g., carbon emissions), and economic (e.g., public health costs) concerns.