Analyzing the Impact of the Physical Form of Neighborhoods on Walkability

Physical health influences the wide area such as: urban design, physical activities, walking behavior) and generally needs accurate laboratory methods and tools to assess. A large number of studies considered walking behavior as one of the aspects of physical health.The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the physical form in neighborhoods on the walkability to explain the effect of the urban element on physical activity. Haft Hoz (with grid pattern) and Bagh-e-Feyz (with organic pattern) were selected due to the different spatial configurations. The social and economic conditions were identical to avoid the impact of intervening variables. The spatial configuration and order were investigated by using the space syntax technique and Depth Map Software. The typology and field survey methods were used to evaluate the characteristics of the blocks and parcels and land use, respectively. In addition to examining the physical forms in the neighborhoods objectively, the subjective technique was used by interviewing the residents and getting to the theoretical saturation. Based on the results, spatial configuration, blocking pattern and parcel, and land use affect the walkability.

Keywords:

Physical Elements of Form , Spatial Configuration , Grid Fabric , Organic Fabric , walkability