This research presents the development of a dynamic walkability index (WI) and a GIS-based tool that integrates real-time environmental comfort parameters—such as noise levels, sun exposure, and temperature—into pedestrian route planning. Unlike traditional WIs that offer fixed values based solely on built environment features, this study introduces a methodology that personalises walkability assessments by accounting for changing comfort conditions and user preferences. Set in Madrid, a city with robust spatial data infrastructure, the project uses sidewalks as the spatial observation unit and incorporates expert-weighted factors. Advanced geoprocessing techniques are employed to generate real-time shadow mapping and simulate comfort conditions, thereby converting the WI into a responsive, temporal index. The study culminates in the creation of Pleasant Walk (PW), a mobile application that translates the custom WI into optimal walking routes tailored to individual comfort. By shifting walking from a default, secondary transport mode into a primary, health-promoting activity, the tool encourages greater pedestrian mobility and supports public health. Key results include the successful automation of WI computation and its integration with live contextual data to enable real-time route optimisation. This research demonstrates the feasibility of deploying dynamic, comfort-sensitive walkability tools in urban environments. It contributes a novel, transferable methodology that other cities with comparable spatial data systems can adopt. PW bridges the gap between academic geospatial research and everyday public use, illustrating how health geography and urban planning can benefit from digital innovation. The study underlines the necessity of designing urban mobility tools that consider the experiential and perceptual dimensions of walking, thereby advancing the creation of more liveable, human-centred cities.
Al Shammas, T. (2023). Designing and implementing a geographic information system-based tool to support walking. PhD thesis, Universidad de Alcalá.
