Influencing Factors on the Walkability of Historic Streets in Iran: Case of Beyhagh, Sabzevar

Koushki, Nafiseh; Daneshpour, Seyed Abdolhadi; Shokouhibidhendi, Mohammadsaleh

doi:10.48301/kssa.2023.374528.2359

Influencing Factors on the Walkability of Historic Streets in Iran: Case of Beyhagh, Sabzevar

Document Type : Case-study

Authors

Nafiseh Koushki ¹

Seyed Abdolhadi Daneshpour ²

Mohammadsaleh Shokouhibidhendi ³

¹ MSc., Department of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

10.48301/kssa.2023.374528.2359

Abstract

Walking might be considered a forgotten mode of transportation. Additionally, the improvement of the pedestrian environment quality is one of the main concerns of urban designers. Therefore, the focus of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence people in choosing to walk in the historical streets of Sabzevar. This study adopts a mixed-method approach using Beyhagh Street (in the city of Sabevar, northeast of Iran) as a case study. With the qualitative method, this research attempted to find effective criteria for improving the environmental qualities of this street. Therefore, by preparing non-structured questionnaires and structured questionnaires, the effective criteria for improving the environmental qualities of this street were investigated. As a result, six factors were determined to influence the walkability characteristics of the historical street: (1) mixed usage, (2) access to services and clean public transportation, (3) walking facilities, (4) vitality, (5) climate comfort, and (6) safety and security.

Keywords

Walkability

Street

Sabzevar

Beyhagh

Quality Improvement

Subjects

Architecture (urban design)

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