GIS Analyses of Walkability in Salem, Oregon Volume 1
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Date
2024
Authors
Wessel, Ava
Kohler, Nick
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Driven by a shared commitment to improve environmental health, community wellbeing, and accessibility, students in the Advanced GIS class collaborated with the
City of Salem to develop data-driven strategies for urban improvement. Walkability, a
concept that refers to the safety and comfort of pedestrian infrastructure, serves as a
link between both social considerations and urban design principles. Improvements
in walkability can be associated with decreasing traffic congestion and carbon
emissions, while improving pedestrians’ overall quality of life. In winter 2024, students
created recommendations based on spatial patterns gathered from the City of Salem’s
geodatabase. Using datasets ranging from transportation networks, demographic
makeup, and public facilities, students addressed three specific aspects of walkability in
Salem:
1. Public Transportation Core Networks analyzed datasets with the intent to improve
the accessibility and effectiveness of Salem’s public transportation.
2. Equity Focus Areas analyzed pedestrian infrastructure trends to increase
accessibility in a lower-income area of Salem.
3. Climate-Friendly Areas created recommendations to improve pedestrian safety
within Salem’s expanding mixed-use infrastructure downtown.
Student recommendations aimed to elevate Salem’s walkability score and foster
community livability, sustainability, and social cohesion. By prioritizing public
transportation and pedestrian infrastructure, the City of Salem can encourage a
reduction in carbon emissions and an increase in walking and cycling. The shift towards
sustainable transportation can help tackle urban design challenges such as traffic
congestion and design effectiveness. This report highlights some of the key findings
and suggestions to improve walkability, contributing to a more vibrant and sustainable
urban environment.