What makes people choose to walk?

More people walking means less traffic, lower emissions, and better public health. But simply building sidewalks isn’t enough. Researchers at Luleå University of Technology have shown that both the urban environment and people’s attitudes toward walking play a crucial role in how much we actually walk.

“If we want to create cities where more people walk, we need to understand both what the environment looks like and how people make their decisions,” says Anindita Mandal, who recently defended her dissertation in architecture at Luleå University of Technology.

Tracking People’s Actual Movements

The dissertation, *Urban Planning and Transport Walking*, combines GPS data from residents of Umeå and Linköping with information about the urban environment and surveys on people’s attitudes and habits.

By tracking how people actually move around in their daily lives, the researchers have been able to compare which environments encourage walking and which factors influence the routes people choose.

“Previously, much research has been based on what people say they do. Here, we’ve been able to study how they actually move through the city,” says Anindita Mandal.

The results show that areas with denser development, proximity to public transportation, more amenities, and more green spaces are generally associated with higher levels of pedestrian traffic.

Attitudes play a bigger role than expected

At the same time, the study shows that the built environment is only part of the explanation. People’s attitudes toward walking as a mode of transportation have an even greater impact on how much they actually walk.

“Two people can live in the same area but use the city in completely different ways depending on how they view walking as a mode of transportation,” says Anindita Mandal.

The results also show that the relationship between the urban environment and walking varies among different groups. For younger people, the physical environment was more important, while attitudes played a more significant role for middle-aged people.

Most people choose the shortest route

Another part of the research focuses on how people choose their walking routes. Almost all recorded trips followed the shortest available route between the starting point and the destination.

However, when people chose a route other than the shortest one, clear patterns emerged. People who chose a different route often passed by more buildings and waterfront areas. They also tended to avoid designated walking paths, low-speed streets, and well-lit sections. At the same time, routes with more stores, trees, and bus stops were chosen more often, suggesting that pedestrians may value attractive and activity-rich surroundings, even when these routes are not the shortest available.

“The results show that what motivates people to walk more is not necessarily the same as what influences which route they choose once they start walking,” says Anindita Mandal.

A Foundation for Future Urban Planning

The study shows that different goals require different planning strategies. Measures that encourage more people to choose walking as a mode of transportation are not always the same as those that make walking more attractive or enjoyable.

By combining detailed mobility data with information about the urban environment and people’s attitudes, the research provides a more nuanced picture of how cities can be planned to support sustainable travel habits.

“If we want more people to choose to walk, we need to understand both the people and the environments in which they move,” says Anindita Mandal.