Nepali towns and cities, including those in the Kathmandu Valley, were traditionally highly walkable. They were designed, or organically evolved, to prioritize pedestrian activities, as it was the only feasible means of transportation when the cities and town were developed. However, with the explosive urban growth, and advent of vehicular traffic, especially in the past two decades, urban walkers find most Nepali cities and towns as difficult, and sometimes even dangerous.
The new US cities are car-centric, and most were not designed for walking. However, with the recent emphasis on walkability and sustainability, pedestrian-friendly design objectives have become central to urban planning in the US.
Walk score is one of the several parameters urban planners use to rank the walkability, pedestrian safety, and related amenities that influence the quality of life in cities. It helps in comparing the desirability and livability of a city or neighborhood for residents to live and enjoy its amenities.
Walk score depends on several factors including the availability of walking routes and nearby amenities, and the physical quality of walking routes (e. g., sidewalks, alleys, paths). In addition, walk score is influenced by the density of street intersections in the area, availability of vegetative and structural shade, pedestrian comfort, and the attractiveness and utility of the amenities within a quarter mile radius of the walk routes.
This presentation assesses the measure of walkability in selected US and Nepali cities. Based on the data from the ground and on-site observations and photographs, the presentation analyzes walkability-related characteristics for selected neighborhoods in the Kathmandu and Phoenix Metros. A model to evaluate the conditions and improvements of walkability will be useful for US and Nepali cities.