Assessing Objective Microscale Utilitarian Walkability Based on Subjective Pedestrian Needs in Baguio City's CBD

Abstract

Current objective walkability maps often generalize pedestrian experiences, overlooking variations in prioritized needs, thus posing challenges in identifying areas for improvement and understanding how these needs align with pedestrian perceptions. The paper aimed to integrate established Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) priority values to Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial data to develop microscale walkability maps of Baguio City’s Central Business District (CBD) based on subjective pedestrian needs—traffic safety, public security, convenience, and comfort—and compare perceived assessments of CBD streets with these generated maps to evaluate discrepancies between objective and perceived walkability. The generated walkability maps effectively identified the areas within the CBD requiring improvement. The comparison between objective and perceived walkability showed alignment in traffic safety and comfort, but divergence in public security and convenience, suggesting that objective metrics alone may not fully capture pedestrian perceptions.