Studley Campus Walkability Assessment

Abstract

The Greening the Campus Movement at Dalhousie University aims to improve sustainability and increase environmental awareness and action on the university‟s campuses. Since walking is the major mode of transportation on Dalhousie‟s campus, our project aimed to promote walking by providing a map of safe and danger zones on campus. This study also offered suggestions for maintaining and improving sidewalks and crosswalks, controlling traffic and locating amenities. Results were collected through surveys administered to students living in three major residences on Studley campus. Three hundred and twelve surveys were completed. The results showed that 20% of students felt that there was not enough room for walking on campus. Fifty five percent of these students complained of broken or cracked sidewalks and 40.5% found that sidewalks started then abruptly stopped. Results also showed that 70.19% of all the students surveyed passed construction zones on their daily walk. Based on the survey results, a map was designed which indicated areas on Studley campus that needed improvements.