Iare Pekhit Presents Results of Walkability Survey

Iare Pekhit, an organization committed to advancing pedestrian rights and developing public spaces in Georgia, presented the results of a recent walkability survey at the Fabrika arts district yesterday.

The project was aimed at creating a public database of pedestrian information, and at initiating a citizen-oriented map of the Vake neighborhood. The database collects information about the obstacles pedestrians face, such as illegally parked cars (on sidewalks or pedestrian spaces, for example).

The survey included a questionnaire, but also asked citizens to map their own routes, marking the territory that needs to be examined. Using the information gleaned through the survey, Iare Pekhit volunteers explored Vake, highlighting the areas and issues most problematic for pedestrians.

The project overall aims to maximize public engagement and awareness, and attempts to create a space to discuss the challenges Tbiliseli meet daily. As pedestrian areas disappear at an increasingly disconcerting pace, such work becomes more important for citizens and daily.

During the course of the project, fifty two questionnaires consisting of five questions each were distributed and analyzed, collecting positive and negative feelings towards the state of various parts of city life. Both physical environment and citizen behavior were considered in the creation of the questions. Answers visualized the difficulties pedestrians face finding enough space to walk, and the reasons those difficulties existed. The majority of responses (82%) complained of frequent sidewalk blockages. Another question, concerning the possibility of crossing streets freely, resulted in a majority of negative feedback, as the question concerning the behavior of drivers (a full 92% responding negatively). Many respondents indicated that drivers fail to follow traffic laws, fail to make ways for pedestrians while turning at traffic lights, and generally drive at excessive speeds.    

Project participants were also asked about the ease of following pedestrian rules, crossing at traffic signals and using the so-called zebra pass, and walking on sidewalks. 63% answered negatively to these questions, as well.     

The walkability survey results suggest that walking routes should be much more pedestrian-friendly and adapted to their needs.

As a part of the project, an interactive map has been created, including pedestrian routes with obstacles marked. The interactive map can be used or edited by anyone, with the possibility of adding more routes and locations.

This walkability project is the first such initiative in Tbilisi. Iare Pekhit, the organization behind it all, plans to continue auditing other neighborhoods soon. 

by Nino Gugunishvili