Route Choices to Access Public Open Spaces in Hill Cities

Abstract

Public open spaces (POSs) play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of urban life, particularly in hill cities where challenging topography influences accessibility and movement patterns. Space syntax can aid in understanding the route choices of users, evaluating certain routes for improved walkability, and understanding pedestrian behaviour in urban environments, among others. Previous space syntax studies primarily focused on a two-dimensional spatial understanding of cities, but there is a scarcity of studies that explore a three-dimensional perspective. It is observed that the route choices and options in hill cities vary from those of cities in the plains. Therefore, this article intends to study the routes and pedestrian choices to access POS, taking the case of Aizawl, Mizoram (India). Space syntax is used as a methodology for the analysis of the accessibility of open spaces. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of mobility behaviour in complex urban environments and offers practical insights for planners and policymakers in developing sustainable and inclusive urban networks and accessible public spaces in hill cities.