Integrating Objective Spatial Data and Subjective Perceptions through GIS-Supported Citizen Science for a holistic Urban Walkability Assessment

Integrating Objective Spatial Data and Subjective Perceptions through GIS-Supported Citizen Science for a holistic Urban Walkability Assessment | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Integrating Objective Spatial Data and Subjective Perceptions through GIS-Supported Citizen Science for a holistic Urban Walkability Assessment Athina Maragkotidou, Konstantinos Lakakis, Kalliopi Kyriakou This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7203866/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study presents a holistic walkability assessment framework that integrates objective spatial indicators with subjective perceptions, focusing on micro-scale features such as sidewalks, crossings, and pedestrian infrastructure. Using Serres’ Central Park as a case study, it applied a mixed-methods approach combining geospatial analysis, georeferenced app data, and geolocated post-hoc questionnaires across selected walking routes. Objective indicators like infrastructure quality and safety were mapped using Google Street View, while pedestrian stressors were recorded through Citizen Science methods. The spatial analysis identified key divergences between infrastructural conditions and pedestrian experiences, revealing that objective measures alone may not fully reflect perceived walkability. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating experiential factors into walkability assessments. The proposed framework offers a practical and adaptable tool for urban planners and researchers, enabling more nuanced, human-centred evaluations of pedestrian environments and supporting the development of inclusive, accessible urban mobility strategies. mix-method approach geospatial analysis geolocated perceptions walkability assessment participatory research Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 09 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 03 Aug, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 29 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 24 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7203866","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":512728696,"identity":"2325fae6-c770-4da4-ba73-e68d0cf39922","order_by":0,"name":"Athina Maragkotidou","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYPCCBAYG9gaGAwwGFiAeG3FaeHgOgLRIADnMxGqRSAAxiNDCP+3wsw8/fqXJ2Us+fniYp0CCgX9G/rEHDL/u4dQicTvNeGZvX44xj3SawWEeoMMkbiSzGzD2FeO25naCMQNvT0Vij3QOw8EZIL/cSGaTYOxJwKlD/nb6Z8a/IC2SZyBa5AlpMbidY8zM8yMnsUeCh+HAB6AWA5AWhh+4tRjezilmlm1IM+Y5k2YA0sJjeOaxmURiA24tcrfTNzO++ZMsx95++PGHhD82cnLHE59JfPiDWwsYMLYh2DxgMrENh1I4+EOEyCgYBaNgFIxcAAAihlHLE2VvvQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Aristotle University of Thessaloniki","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Athina","middleName":"","lastName":"Maragkotidou","suffix":""},{"id":512728699,"identity":"e804b889-6095-439a-8283-9d57852f99ef","order_by":1,"name":"Konstantinos Lakakis","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Aristotle University of Thessaloniki","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Konstantinos","middleName":"","lastName":"Lakakis","suffix":""},{"id":512728700,"identity":"c012890b-711a-47c4-97e5-a3f269944a10","order_by":2,"name":"Kalliopi Kyriakou","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Aristotle University of Thessaloniki","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kalliopi","middleName":"","lastName":"Kyriakou","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-24 09:23:26","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7203866/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7203866/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":93648395,"identity":"7a951a5f-a78a-4e34-ad91-c5a0e7167584","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-16 05:05:05","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1857216,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"walkabilitypaperudirevised.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7203866/v1_covered_f230b0cd-7f8c-4b2d-8dc0-021cbeebc7f2.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Integrating Objective Spatial Data and Subjective Perceptions through GIS-Supported Citizen Science for a holistic Urban Walkability Assessment","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"urban-design-international","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [URBAN DESIGN International](https://www.palgrave.com/gp/journal/41289)","snPcode":"41289","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/41289/3","title":"URBAN DESIGN International","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer SNAPPs","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"mix-method approach, geospatial analysis, geolocated perceptions, walkability assessment, participatory research","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7203866/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7203866/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study presents a holistic walkability assessment framework that integrates objective spatial indicators with subjective perceptions, focusing on micro-scale features such as sidewalks, crossings, and pedestrian infrastructure. 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