The quality of walkability environment to support social capital

Abstract

As a matter of fact, one of the way to improve public health is having physical activities, and walking is the most popular, sustainable and economical form. The modern urban design model have been applied in order to achieve a more rapid urban expansion. However, the urban expansion is actually become the reason on decreasing the walkability level and quality and a very strong car-dependency in the cities. Nowadays, urban street planning and design in Malaysia given priority to the vehicle instead of people. It cannot be denied that, vehicle or automobile has become the significance travel mode in Malaysia in recent decades. This has resulted the low quality of walkability environment and caused unattractive for walking not just happened in the neighborhood but it happens in the overall country. In the present day, the value for walkability has been increase for variety of reason. It not only plays a role in pedestrian transportation which have positive influence on reducing congestion and have lower environmental impact, walkability also adding value on social and recreational aspect. Indeed, it can be said that walking is the very oldest and traditional form of transportation. In fact, walkability is one of the best way to create a healthier and sustainable living environment. Almost anyone, people from all walks of life can join and involve in this walkable environment, by swapping the automobile against walking or cycling when they are travelling from one point to another destination. Hence, this thesis will be emphasized on the application of walkability typology could be applied to practice, by analyzing the critical discourse from relevant theorist. It also attempts to discuss the benefits and challenges of walkability so that it can renew attention as an important mode of urban transport in local community. With walkable street, community are actually lives in the comfortable, convenient, healthy and sustainable places, but it is actually very hard to achieve when the urban environment is actually giving more priorities to automobile. Hence in order to achieve walkable social capital, this practice will also try to figure how's others relevant project works, which these reference projects are from different location and different situations. By linking practice and theoretic looks together, it will have a better way to implement these initiatives for future project. On the other hand, it is important to create a strategic framework that would begin to redefine the walkability to under-served the communities. Hence, these design strategies will focus on allowing the local people to take full advantages on improving the approach in connecting people, promoting public engagement and sense of neighborhood to achieve a better urban environment.