The influence of physical built environment and socio-economic characteristics on walkability in saburtalo district of Tbilisi, Georgia

Academic and popular literature widely argues about the importance of sustainable urban development and how transportation has a tremendous role in it. A growing number of cities worldwide tries to improve the sustainability of the transportation system by promoting the usage of non-motorized transport modes such as walking and cycling on short distances. Mostly, because of the health, social and economic benefits that compact cities create (Oriol et al., 2014). Similarly, Tbilisi tries to shift the paradigm and promote sustainable modes of transportation to tackle the aforementioned problems by putting a pedestrian on the top of the priority pyramid.

While walking is one of the common modes of transportation, it is one of the most sensitive modes to external elements also. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how the physical built environment and socio-economic characteristics hinder the citizens of Tbilisi from walking. By explaining how the physical built environment and socio-economic characteristics affect the walkability in Tbilisi, this research could contribute to the further development of the pedestrian-friendly policy. It can also guide intentions to create strategy document concerning pedestrians. Thus, the practical relevance of the study is increasing. Thus, the research’s objective is to determine these effects influence. This is possible by comparing subjective and objective data that was obtained by both primary and secondary sources. The objective will be attained by conducting explanatory research.

The study is based on the theory of the built environment, the theory of travel behaviour and walkability concept.

This research uses one of the most prevalent research instruments a questionnaire. Besides the questionnaire data, spatial data (secondary data) including objective elements of the physical built environment were collected from various sources. The primary data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods and inferential statistics. As for the secondary data, network analysis, density and proximity analysis were used, in the GIS environment.

With regards to the main research question, the study explored the walkability index measured by survey and by spatial analysis. Walkability index was defined as the dependent variable, while physical built environment and socio-economic characteristics were represented as independent variables.

The research is the initial effort to explore characteristics influencing walkability in Saburtalo districts. The research findings show that there is a need for a wider variable range, for example, education level, relief and weather.

To conclude, as the interpretation of analysis suggests subjective indicators play a lesser role in walkability determination rather than the objective ones in Saburtalo district. In other words, analysis has shown that mixed land use, presence of streetlight and trees have a more significant position in determining walkability in Saburtalo district than age, gender or vehicle ownership, for example.