STUDY OF THE WALKABILITY INDEX IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF SANTA FÉ DO SUL, BRAZIL

Abstract

Placing pedestrians at the center of the urban transportation system is essential to promoting more accessible mobility. The concept of walkability refers to an individual's ability to move from one location to another, considering the available transportation infrastructure and personal characteristics. This capacity can be assessed using the Walkability Index – iCam (ITDP Brazil, 2018), which includes 15 indicators and offers an overview of pedestrian mobility. In this context, the present study evaluated the walkability of the central area of Santa Fé do Sul. A literature review was conducted, followed by field research to determine the iCam. Data collection was carried out along 11th and 13th Streets, between 6th and 18th Streets, in the downtown area. The iCam score of each sidewalk was calculated, classifying the region as having “sufficient” walkability. Little variation was observed among the segments studied. Although the sidewalks analyzed included pedestrian passageways, they presented various obstacles such as road obstructions, buildings lacking accessibility infrastructure, uneven surfaces, and potholes—all of which hindered pedestrian movement. The findings suggest that walkability has not been considered by urban planners as a key parameter in city planning. The iCam serves as a tool to understand the pedestrian’s experience in the urban environment and is believed to offer valuable input to public administrators for developing strategies to improve mobility and accessibility.