The thesis presents a walkability research on the scale of a small town, case of Škofja Loka. The first, theoretical part provides some facts about walking and walkability, researching its importance for towns and their people. The thesis examines the history of walkability in towns and the situation of walkability in Slovenia. It also presents a case of good practice. The key characteristics of walkable towns are researched and defined, and the existing approaches for designing a walkable town are introduced. The thesis further presents pedestrian’s decision-making process for walking. It has been found that one of the influencing factors is the design of open space. Traffic measures and street design principles that improve and further walkability are defined. They are applied to transform the roads of a town into open public spaces. Traffic measures and street design principles also include elements of the urban green system that is one of the main conditions for any walkable town. Based on the researched approaches, starting points for creating a walkable city are developed on the basis of pedestrian needs. The second, practical part of the thesis deals with the town of Škofja Loka. The town is analysed by individual segments – the key characteristics of a walkable town, as defined in the theoretical part. The facts, problems and potentials concerning the walkability of Škofja Loka are given for each segment. The structure of the city consisting of individual space types is defined. The final part of the thesis is the walkability design for the town of Škofja Loka. It consists of four parts: of centres that are being strengthened; of various connections (roads, streets, paths) between centres that have different design principles and cross-sections; of activity locations in the centres and along the connections; and, finally, of the urban green system. The last mentioned is especially important in the town of Škofja Loka since an important share of pedestrian connections run through green spaces.
|
