Detection and measuring the effect of macro urban barriers on walkability. Application to the case of the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Within sustainable urban mobility guidelines, pedestrian mode plays a key role, as part or totality of any journey, due to its low environmental impact and affordability. However, pedestrians are often not considered when analyzing mobility patterns. Urban projects tend to focus on mass transport and urban infrastructure, creating urban barriers and penalizing the pedestrian mode. This article develops a method for assessing the impact of urban design on pedestrian travel. To do so, it proposes to evaluate the interaction between urban form and pedestrian mobility through two concepts: the "urban barrier", understood as an obstacle that affects walking, and "deviation", defined as the intensity of the barrier. An analysis applied to Buenos Aires to detect these urban barriers is done using open and cartographic data. Solutions to improve the pedestrian experience are delivered, highlighting various aspects of urban design such as accessibility, proximity, legibility and complexity.