The Perceived Neighborhood Walkability in the Putnam Heights Neighborhood; a Study on Walkability in Suburban and Sprawled Neighborhoods

Keywords: Walkability, Accessibility, 15-minute, Community, Safety, Perceived Neighborhood Walkability
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

When defining walkability, many geographers determine urbanized, condensed communities are ideal spaces to create safe, accessible, interesting, and diverse pedestrian areas. The condensing of neighborhoods allows for accessibility to amenities surrounding them, such as healthcare, education, green spaces, food sources, public transportation, and entertainment. While these highly populous living areas may seem ideal for walking logistically, the Perceived Neighborhood Walkability (or PNW) from a resident’s perspective is not commonly taken into account when determining the walkability of an area. While methods to determine walkability, such as WalkScore and 15-minute walking radiuses, quantifiably analyze communities, the PNW should be a factor in making changes and updates to a neighborhood plan. This research continues to analyze the Putnam Heights Neighborhood walkability and determines the Perceived Neighborhood Walkability of the neighborhood in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Furthermore, it utilizes this perception to determine how walkability should be defined in rural and suburban spaces. By determining the PNW, inequities in this neighborhood, and inaccessibility to amenities can be better analyzed from a resident’s perspective.