Urban walkability assessment through shared images: a “value for people” approach to the public space

Growing attention to sustainable mobility, the quality of public space, and the enhancement of historic heritage has made walkability a central criterion for assessing contemporary cities. The aim of this work is to propose an automated methodological procedure, oriented towards a value for people perspective, for the evaluation of urban walkability based on georeferenced street-level images. The methodology relies on the use of semantic segmentation techniques applied to open-source datasets (Google Street View and OpenStreetMap) and on the development of a synthetic index (Lvalue), capable of translating the visual perception of the urban environment into a quantitative value. The implementation of the procedure makes it possible to map the pedestrian quality of the street network, integrating infrastructural, environmental, and perceptual elements within a relational framework. The experimentation carried out in a densely built-up area of Campania produced high-resolution walkability maps, with evaluations referring to pedestrian accessibility thresholds (5, 10, and 15 minutes) to historic-cultural assets. The results show that the proposed approach allows for the identification of strengths and weaknesses of the pedestrian network at different spatial scales, highlighting local deficits, intermediate issues, and large-scale structural shortcomings. The procedure is configured as a decision-support tool for local administrations, capable of guiding targeted redevelopment interventions, enhancing cultural heritage, and monitoring the effects of urban policies. From this perspective, walkability understood as value for people emerges as a strategic indicator not only to promote more accessible and equitable cities but also to ensure lasting valorization of public space and historic heritage.