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Identifying the Determinants of Walkability and Use of Nonmotorized Transport in a Medium-Sized City: The Case of Iloilo City, Philippines


Mobility is a universal human right that numerous innovations have been carried out to enhance it-make it better and faster. This desire for improved mobility has been one of the reasons for increasing motorization, which, along with other factors of urbanization have negatively affected the conditions of cities in developing countries. One of the consequential effects of motorization and rapid urbanization is the gradual decline in walking and use of non-motorized transportation (NMT) modes. As countermeasure, use of sustainable forms of transport has been widely encouraged in transport policies, plans and programs of the country. This study identified the factors that promote walkability and use of non-motorized transport in Iloilo City, Philippines, a medium-sized city of less than 500,00 inhabitants. Walkability is defined as the extent to which the built environment is "pedestrian friendly", while use of non-motorized modes includes use of bicycles and its variants, such as pedicabs, skates, and the likes. For this study, use of NMT is limited only to use of bicycles as privately-owned non-motorized vehicles.Data surveyed from 400 respondents using a 23-item interview schedule were analyzed for correlation or association using independent sample T-tests and Pearson's r. Variables included the individual's socio-economic attributes, perceived neighborhood physical conditions (i.e., presence of sidewalks) and attitudinal beliefs correlated with likelihood to walk and use of NMT. Results showed that attitudinal beliefs towards walking and use of NMT were significantly related to their likelihood to walk and use NMT, so are the socio-economic attributes (gender, age, income, educational level and employment status). Males tend to use more NMTs while females tend to walk more, which might be due to them being "captive walkers". Multiple linear regression was used to determine possible models for likelihood to walk or use of NMT. 



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