Inclusive neighborhoods in a healthy city: walkability assessment and guidance in Rome

With the increasingly global and European attention towards healthy inclusive cities, the focus on pedestrian-friendly environments, as a tool to encourage and support healthy lifestyles for people of all social groups and ages, continues to rise. This article aims to assess ‘’walkability’’ as one of the main conditions of a built environment that enhances ‘’healthy living’’, a core theme of the Zagreb Declaration for Healthy Cities. Transit Oriented Development Standard (TOD Standard) is used as a tool to evaluate the walkability level in San Giovanni area in Rome, Italy. Through urban plans and measurements of the pedestrian realms, the research evaluates the state of walkability through a metric scoring method of the walkways’ segments. The analysis demonstrates the percentages of all-accessible walkway segments and crosswalks that are safe in all directions; segments with visually active frontages; physically permeable frontages; and segments that incorporate adequate shade or shelter. The results show the pedestrian realm’s level of safety, completeness, accessibility to all; its activeness and vibrance; and its level of comfort. The conclusions provide guidance for areas of intervention to make walking accessible for everyone and support decision-making processes to develop inclusive neighborhoods, as a part of the future policies for equitable access and mobility in a healthy city.