Evaluating the Walkability of Urban Spaces Based on New Urbanism Approach (Case Study: Kianpars Neighborhood in Ahvaz City)

In recent years, new approaches for urban development and urban planning around the world have focused on human-based pedestrian-based approaches and attitudes instead of technocratic and machine-based models. One of these approaches is New Urbanism, which is especially close to pedestrian- based approaches in terms of different aspects and principles; and these two have a lot of common criteria and indicators. The current study aims to evaluate the walkability of Kianpars Neighborhood in Ahvaz using a new urbanism approach. By drawing on previous research, 32 walkability indicators extracted from the new urbanism approach have been analyzed and evaluated using the survey methodology. The results of the study show that among the 32 selected indicators, Kianpars Neighborhood has an acceptable level for only 5 indicators related to walkability. For the remaining indicators, this neighborhood lacks the necessary conditions for walkability and in fact, the machine-based pattern reigns supreme in this neighborhood. Ultimately, a number of strategies for improving the walkability of this neighborhood and shifting its machine-based state towards a pedestrian-based paradigm have been presented.