Comparative study of walkable spaces from the view of space users and experts by using analytic network process (case study: Tabriz)

Walk ability is among the factors that can be effective in the revitalization of urban areas and through increased civic participation of citizens in the field of public places, increases the interactions and social correlations. In this direction, improvement of the quality and quantity factors of urban walkable spaces can be realized when the priority of the current issues is based on the views of the citizens and users of these spaces. Since there exists various comments and views in the city and about the existing urban issues and its priorities, making decisions shall also be convergence and along with covering all aspects of priorities. The purpose of this research is to improve the quality of walkways and comparative study of experts and citizens about the importance of effective indicators in urban walk able areas by using analytic network process (ANP).In this method, the components of the evaluation criteria were produced in 5 components and 26 indicators by using Super Decision software and the results of field surveys were analyzed in this software. The outputs of the model are available in different text methods and various charts for criteria and indicators. The findings of the study indicate five factors "physical and visual", "movement and access", "Social and cultural factors," "environmental factors", "functional elements" have the most significant role in defining the walkablility of urban spaces. Comparing the final scores of walkability of the studied walkways showed that from the view point of citizens and professions, Tarbiyat walkway as a better condition comparing with Shahriya, Maghsoodiyeh and Valiasr walkways.