Environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) recently launched an Urban Walkability Study that aims to evaluate the urban walkability and pedestrian mobility in Davao City.
The study will cover pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks, walkways, footbridges, alleys, etc.
“The rationale behind the study, una, that there is an increase of commuters in Davao City, we also have car-centric roads in Davao City that can cause high carbon emissions, the sidewalk conditions wherein pedestrians are forced to walk through vehicular roads due to obstacles na naa sa atoang mga sidewalks. Naa ta’y mapanasin ang ubang pedestrians mulampas na sa kalsada and its very dangerous for pedestrians,” said Justin Joshua Pungyan, environmental research officer of IDIS, during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday.
It is the goal of the study to evaluate the existing urban walkability and pedestrians’ mobility conditions; and identify the barriers and opportunities in implementing a walkable and pedestrian-friendly city.
Pungyan said the results of the study will help develop sound policy recommendations for sustainable urban development.
“We want to assess because this will help us advocate for walking for more sustainable transportation kay innate na ang paglakaw sa tao. Dili na kailangan mupalit pa ug sakyanan or motor. Hopefully, this can affect or influence the planning focusing on the city’s sidewalks and pavements in Davao City,” Pungyan said.
As a method of the study, IDIS will be doing citizen science and will be using the help of the Dabawenyos.
“Para makuha nato ang ilang perspectives kay sila mismo ang galakaw sa atoang dakbayan. The participation of the residents will help us from data gathering up to the analysis and to help us puhon sa atong pag develop sa mga recommendations,” Pungyan said.
Apart from Davao City, the study will also cover the cities of Tagum and Digos.
The research project is open to students, youth, and professionals residing in Davao City, Digos City, and Tagum City.
The assessment will be conducted simultaneously from March 1 to 31, 2024.
