Assessing Influence of Walkability on Social Interaction Streets of Ahmedabad

Abstract

Indian streets are known for their vibrancy and social nature but lacks in walkability. People use streets as a medium of movement, but due to the presence of elements such as good infrastructure, vendors, seating, shade, etc., there are opportunities for interaction. Walkability is defined as to what extent cities, neighbourhoods, routes, or streets, are nice to walk in, as well as pleasant and interesting, and hence invite people to walk and interact walking (Knapskog et al., 2019c). Walkability promotes longer and more frequent interactions amongst people, which leads to improved social activities between people. The study aims to explore the relationship between walkability and social interaction on three identified commercial streets of Ahmedabad which were built during different periods and has diversity in walkability. For assessing walkability, criteria are divided into three parts infrastructure and traffic, urbanity, surroundings, and activities with specified attributes. The study calculates the walkability index of streets through a method developed by the MOUD. The findings from this study can help in recommending parameters that enhances social interaction while designing and planning of streets