IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

The UN’s AR6 report highlights the growing consensus surrounding global climate change. Concurrent with a wave of urban renewal, Taiwan’s cities have a unique opportunity to adapt and mitigate climate change impacts by transforming their sidewalks. While the demand for green infrastructure in dense urban areas is substantial, available space is limited. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the effective planning and utilization of existing sidewalk space. This paper has two primary research objectives: to analyze the micro-scale land use plan and utilization of sidewalks, and to analyze pedestrian behavior and spatial patterns on sidewalks. The findings will contribute to understanding sidewalk planning and utilization efficiency, and the potential for transitioning underutilized grey space into green infrastructure as part of a nature-based solution action plan. Using Taipei as a case study, this research examines 36 sidewalks sampled across three land use types: residential, commercial, and public facilities. Data collection methods include video recordings of pedestrian behavior using infrared cameras to protect privacy, followed by digitization and analysis using ArcGIS and YOLO. Preliminary findings indicate that designated pedestrian space on primary roads is generally sufficient for pedestrian flow, but not on secondary roads. Covered arcades, offering protection from rain and heat, are used more frequently than uncovered sidewalks. Generally, lower pedestrian traffic correlates with higher rates of underutilized space. These underutilized spaces are primarily located between tree pots, presenting opportunities for green infrastructure integration.