IN-PERSON Barcelona Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

The term “sozoro-aruki,” a peculiar Japanese expression meaning “to walk leisurely and without a clear purpose,” is often used to describe to stroll through Japanese onsen (hot spring) resort areas. Kinosaki Onsen, located in northern Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, boasts a 1,300-year history and a culture of sozoro-aruki, particularly as visitors walk between its seven public onsen dotting this area. This walking style embodies a cultural tradition that values relaxation and unhurried exploration. However, the experience of sozoro-aruki has been hindered by through-traffic, which limits pedestrian walking space and decreases pedestrian safety. To address these challenges, the following two points are essential; evaluating if the road space allows for sozoro-aruki, and to verify how regulating through-traffic improves sozoro-aruki. This research aims to construct an evaluation index for sozoro-aruki walkability and propose a management methodology to enhance this unique walking experience. The study focuses on three key aspects of sozoro-aruki: (1) spatial relationships among pedestrians walking in groups, (2) walking velocity, and (3) walking trajectories, including random crossings and stops at stores along the street, using fine pedestrian behavior data were collected using LiDAR and video cameras. The data were analyzed to quantify and evaluate sozoro-aruki conditions based on spatial and temporal factors. A case study was conducted in Kinosaki Onsen, demonstrating how abstract walking concepts can be redefined through pedestrian behavior analysis and translated into spatial evaluations.