Walkability Index as a Strategic Planning Instrument for the Historic Center of Rio de Janeiro

This paper describes the design and application of a walkability index developed by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy – Brazil – and the City of Rio de Janeiro, with two of the authors acting as external consultants in the period 2015 - 2017. The walkability index presented here was designed in the context of strategic planning and strategic interventions in the historic centre of Rio de Janeiro, which aimed at the improvement of conditions of liveability in that area. The authors present a discussion of the methodology and approach adopted in the development of this walkability index with reference to the work of authors who have investigated the benefits of active mobility and to other walkability indexes and methodologies for measuring the effects of active mobility. This walkability index embodies an attempt to balance the design of a method for the systematic measurement of variables concerning urban form (such as width of sidewalks and block size), use of urban spaces (through count of pedestrian circulation) and environmental conditions (such as noise levels) on the one hand, and the development of a strategic instrument in the urban transformation of the historic center of Rio de Janeiro on the other hand. The development of this walkability index coincided with the investment by the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro on new transport infrastructure in the form of a light-rail system linking the historic centre with surrounding areas such as the newly redeveloped port and Santos Dumont Airport. At the same period, the programme Centro para Todos (Centre for All) was implemented by the Rio de Janeiro World Heritage Institute (IRPH) – with a focus on the improvement of conditions of the centre from the point of view of physical infrastructure (involving for instance the upgrading of sidewalks) and public safety and in view of boosting the residential use of the Rio de Janeiro’s historic city centre. In this context, this walkability index was developed to highlight spatial conditions of Rio de Janeiro’s historic centre that were estimated to have a relevant impact on pedestrian use. The authors present a reflection on the application of this walkability index in the formation of current urban policies such the ‘Reviver Centro’ programme.