Feasibility Study of Pedestrians Path in Central Core of Hamedan (Case study: Ekbatan, Bu-Ali, Takhti, Shohada Streets)

Nowadays, Automobile dependency is defined as high levels of per capita automobile travel, automobile oriented land use patterns, and reduced transport alternatives. Automobile dependency increases many costs: higher vehicle expenses, reduced travel choices, increased road and parking facility costs, congestion, accident damages, and a variety of environmental impacts. The total fixed and variable cost of cars per kilometer is also significantly related to the degree of automobile dependence in Iranian cities, though not as strongly as land use and activity. The data suggest that the most auto-dependent cities are less wealthy than some other more transit-oriented cities. In under-developing countries, like Iran which urbanization occurred prior to industrialization, from the very beginning of vehicles arrival, there has been the problem of giving priority to motorways. Experiences on constructing sidewalks, especially in downtown districts, have changed not only the appearance of cities but also resulted in new trends toward improving the quality of urban living and people' social behavior. The overall aim of this paper therefore is to make changes in sidewalks as a base for civilized living, social interactions and prospering the texture of central core in hamedan. This study, which was partially funded was done by using a descriptive-analytical method, studying and analyzing internal and external experiences, as well as, by virtue of case studies with the aim of assessing the capability of sidewalk planning in central core of Hamedan. After introduction and recognition of the scope, Analytical Network Process method (ANP) was used to assess the condition of the studied sidewalks. Upon conducting the studies, it became evident that Booali and Ekbatan streets had the most score of priority to be changed into sidewalks. Finally, objectives, strategies and policies were extracted and presented.