hiWalk assesses the quality and accessibility of walking infrastructure by analyzing where sidewalks exist and how comfortable they are for pedestrians. With hiWalk 3.0, we have developed a new version that offers deeper insights into where improvements are needed, helping stakeholders identify how to make walking more inclusive and their public spaces more welcoming for everyone.
In the latest version, hiWalk introduces two new indicators that make walkability assessments even more comprehensive: Distance to Benches and Distance to Drinking Water Locations. The dashboard calculates actual walking distances to these points of interests, if there are fewer than 500. Otherwise straight line distances are used.
These new indicators help evaluate how well cities are equipped with resting and refreshment opportunities. Benches are not only crucial for elderly people with limited mobility, but they also offer everyone a welcome place to pause. Drinking fountains promote health by making walking more comfortable and enjoyable, especially during heatwaves.
As you can see in the maps below, and probably also know from your own experience, cities differ greatly in how well they are equipped with benches and drinking fountains. At HeiGIT, we also know that these features are often underrepresented in OpenStreetMap. For instance, in Rennes, there are many more benches than our current data shows, as we know by research conducted by one of our partners, Someware. Take a look at your city, and if you notice missing benches or drinking fountains, why not add them to the map? Every contribution helps make OSM more complete and useful for everyone.
Have a look at these computations or calculate the walkability for your own city:
Climate Action Navigator: Climate Action Navigator – Urban Climate Assessment Tools
Amersfoort: Climate Action Navigator – Urban Climate Assessment Tools
Frankfurt: Climate Action Navigator – Urban Climate Assessment Tools
Hamburg: Climate Action Navigator – Urban Climate Assessment Tools
Rennes: Climate Action Navigator – Urban Climate Assessment Tools
Vienna: Climate Action Navigator – Urban Climate Assessment Tools
