Actual condition of pedestrian walkways as part of city planning roads

A case study of Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo prefectures

Abstract

Pedestrian walkways as part of city planning roads are planned and constructed integrally with the surrounding urban facilities and zonings. Expected requirements of pedestrian spaces have been changed since the system was established around 40 years ago. Thus, it is necessary to review what kind of roles the pedestrian walkways have played. In this paper, we discuss the actual condition of improvements and practice on the pedestrian walkways in Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo prefectures in terms of special structure and institutional issues. Through the analysis of the data on city planning felicities and the interview to city authorities, we demonstrate that: (1) the pedestrian walkways can be classified into four categories: walkways in commercial district around a station, in residential district, as liner green space, and over/under a station. (2) From the aspect of functions, there are no differences between the pedestrian walkways and general pedestrian space. However, in terms of the allocation of project costs and the implementation of plans, the pedestrian walkways have advantages.