IN-PERSON London. Section B

Abstract

Urban policies worldwide increasingly prioritize population accessibility, acknowledging their positive impacts on the environment, society, and individual health. A notable focus lies in enhancing walkable urban areas, which has surged over the last decade, notably with strategies reshaping public spaces and the rise of concepts like the 15-minute city. Our research zeroes in on walkability in Spain’s top ten cities, housing a total of 14 million people. We utilize high-resolution spatial indicators and open-source tools to calculate and analyze an index, as part of an international collaboration. We assess the spatial distribution of walkability across these cities, examining differences between and within urban areas, emphasizing socioeconomic accessibility gaps. Preliminary findings indicate that Barcelona and Bilbao rank as the most walkable among Spain’s largest cities on average. Moreover, approximately 77% of residents in these cities inhabit neighborhoods surpassing the 10-city walkability median. However, disparities emerge; for instance, Murcia sees only 15% residing in neighborhoods above the 90th walkability percentile, while in Barcelona, this accounts for 65% of residents. Detailed analysis also uncovers socio-spatial inequalities in walkability measures at both city and neighborhood levels, offering insights to guide local, metropolitan, and even governmental strategies. These findings highlight the urgency to address uneven walkability distribution to create more inclusive and pedestrian-friendly urban environments.