Evaluating Neighbourhood Accessibility: A Spatial Analysis of Walking Preferences

This study aims to examine how spatial layout affects parent decision-making of mode choice to school. The spatial layout of the neighbourhood has analyzed the configuration within the scope of integration, connectivity and street network by using Space Syntax’s Axial analysis model. To analyse the spatial quantitative, two parameters in Space Syntax were used; global (Rn) and local integration (R3) to measure the network configuration of streets design in the neighbourhood within 800 meter radius from schools in two different neighbourhoods. The purpose to compare two (2) different neighbourhood density and layout pattern; grid and curvilinear is to hypothesise which built environment characteristics have a strong association with mode choice. The result indicates that the very grid with mainly linear, shortest paths and block lengths that are accessible within children walking range, are significantly correlated with of choice to/from school. It is proposed in this paper that streets with a high degree of integration and school that is adjacent to main streets with the co-presence of attractors such as shophouses, offices, restaurants, open spaces and other service providers, encourage school children to walk to/from school. This research improves our understanding of the spatial layout of residential exerts a powerfully influenced children active mobility and syntax-based study helps to design better-connected street networks in the neighbourhood.