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Levels and Characteristics of Utilitarian Walking in the Central Areas of the Cities of Bologna and Porto

Author

Listed:
  • Fernando Fonseca

    (CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Elisa Conticelli

    (Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy)

  • George Papageorgiou

    (E.U.C. Research Centre, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus)

  • Paulo Ribeiro

    (CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Mona Jabbari

    (CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Simona Tondelli

    (Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy)

  • Rui Ramos

    (CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

Abstract

Walking is a mode of transport that offers many environmental and health benefits. Utilitarian walking refers to walking trips undertaken to fulfil routine purposes. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent to which walking is used as a transport mode for short urban trips in the city centers of Bologna and Porto and the barriers preventing utilitarian walking. Based on a questionnaire ( n = 1117) administered in the two cities, results indicated that 21% of the individuals travel by foot, while 47% combine walking with other modes. This means that 68% of the daily trips to these city centers involve walking activity. From the overall trips, 84% were made to reach work and school/university. Statistical tests showed that utilitarian walkers were more likely to be females ( p < 0.001) and undergraduates ( p < 0.001). People from Bologna were more likely to engage in utilitarian walking than people from Porto ( p < 0.001). Travel distance and time were the main barriers preventing people from engaging in utilitarian walking. The findings described in this paper provide a better understanding of utilitarian walking in the central areas of both cities, which can guide policies to promote healthier lifestyles and sustainable mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernando Fonseca & Elisa Conticelli & George Papageorgiou & Paulo Ribeiro & Mona Jabbari & Simona Tondelli & Rui Ramos, 2021. "Levels and Characteristics of Utilitarian Walking in the Central Areas of the Cities of Bologna and Porto," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3064-:d:514921
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    3. Fernando Fonseca & Escolástica Fernandes & Rui Ramos, 2022. "Walkable Cities: Using the Smart Pedestrian Net Method for Evaluating a Pedestrian Network in Guimarães, Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Jina Mahmoudi & Lei Zhang, 2022. "Health Impacts of the Built and Social Environments, and Travel Behavior: The Case of the Sunshine State," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-42, July.
    5. Bartzokas-Tsiompras, Alexandros & Bakogiannis, Efthimios & Nikitas, Alexandros, 2023. "Global microscale walkability ratings and rankings: A novel composite indicator for 59 European city centres," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    6. Fernando Fonseca & George Papageorgiou & Simona Tondelli & Paulo Ribeiro & Elisa Conticelli & Mona Jabbari & Rui Ramos, 2022. "Perceived Walkability and Respective Urban Determinants: Insights from Bologna and Porto," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, July.

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