Case Studies

Active mobility planning

Year
2020

Project Director
Anna Rose

A set of straightforward techniques to identify opportunities for walking & cycling in urban centres.


Towns and cities are rethinking the way people use them, prioritising the “active mobility” modes of walking and cycling over driving and, in some cases, public transport.

Space Syntax supports towns and cities worldwide with mobility planning tools that use a straightforward and affordable methodology. First, we rapidly establish the “active mobility hierarchy” of an urban centre, using Spatial Accessibility Models to identify the most convenient route networks for walking and cycling and, therefore, the place to focus investment in change. Next we measure the “active mobility capacity” of the network under the new social distancing requirements. This helps to identify capacity pinch points and pathway overlaps that need special priority.  

Our analysis drives the creation of “Active Mobility Strategies” for safe & comfortable transport. These strategies use evidence and analysis to rebalance street space to the needs of pedestrians & cyclists. In doing so, they address the challenges of climate resilience, public health & socio-economic inequality, with a robust vision for change.

Active mobility hierarchy
Active mobility capacity