The impact of the built environment on the decision to walk for short trips: Evidence from two Spanish cities

In this study, we use a qualitative methodology to identify and compare factors of the built environment influencing the decision to walk for short trips in two different Spanish cities: Valencia and Granada. Three focus groups were held in Valencia and two in Granada with participants who undertook, at least once a week, one short non-shopping trip in any travel mode (were “short trip” is defined as less than 30-45 min walking distance). A thematic analysis of the data using the software QSR NVivo was performed after the transcription of the video recordings. Results show that participants perceive more facilitators to walking in Granada than in Valencia, explained by the smaller size of the former city and the driving restriction policy in the city centre of Granada for private cars. The main common barriers to walking in the two cities were: insecurity from crime (absence of people, a poor street lighting or walking along a conflictive area), a high density of traffic lights and walking along large avenues. In the city of Valencia, crossing multi-lane avenues and large-diameter roundabouts are deterrents to walking. In Granada, very steep streets motivate the use of alternative travel modes.