Facilitating Walkability in Hilly Terrain: Using the Geodesign Platform to Integrate Topographical Considerations into the Planning Process

Walking is the healthiest, most natural, environmentally friendly, and egalitarian way of moving in space, and it plays an important role in urban life. Since walkability has become a key factor in New Urbanism, research on this issue has emphasized walkability analysis, examining the many global examples of urban spaces that reflect planning for walkability. However, the literature does not adequately cover the issue of walkability in hilly terrain. Previous studies have shown that walking on an incline may require more effort but can shorten the walking distance. When planning for hilly terrain, winding roads are used to reduce the incline. But winding routes lengthen the distance between junctions, reducing connectivity and walkability. A short distance between junctions creates connectivity in space, which is a key factor in walkability. The goal of this study is to examine whether and how digital planning practices can be implemented to promote walkability in a hilly neighborhood, despite the challenging physical circumstances. For this study, we invited students and professionals from various fields of urban design to participate in three planning workshops using the Geodesign platform. The findings indicate that walkability principles can be integrated into planning for hilly terrain, thus creating a walkable space in hilly areas. The study also found that Geodesign’s structured, methodical process of discussion and negotiation supported inclusion of topographical considerations for promoting walkability in the planning process.