A GIS and Space Syntax-Based Walkability Development Plan for The Heritage District of Taal, Batangas

Joseph Anthony A. Malabanan

Joseph Anthony A. Malabanan College of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design, Batangas State University – The National Engineering University – Alangilan Campus, Golden Country Homes Subdivision, Alangilan, Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines

Keywords: walkability, heritage district, GIS, Space Syntax, urban mobility, Taal Batangas

Abstract

This study developed a GIS- and Space Syntax–based Walkability Development Plan (WDP) for the Población Heritage District of Taal, Batangas, a heritage town where walking supports everyday mobility and tourism activity but is constrained by narrow streets, discontinuous sidewalks, and encroachments. Guided by local planning intentions that prioritize pedestrian connectivity while preserving heritage values, the research examined how spatial configuration relates to pedestrian movement and on-ground walkability conditions. A mixed-method convergent design integrated GIS-based spatial analysis, segment-based Space Syntax modeling, walkability audits, pedestrian counts, and perception surveys to assess pedestrian accessibility, safety, comfort, and infrastructure adequacy. Results show that pedestrian movement patterns align closely with spatial configuration: corridors with high global integration (Rn), high local integration (R3), and high choice (betweenness) correspond with observed pedestrian concentrations near major religious, commercial, and heritage nodes. However, audit and survey results indicate that many movement-critical streets exhibit poor walkability due to discontinuous or narrow sidewalks, obstructions, limited accessibility for persons with disabilities, and inadequate supporting amenities. The composite walkability index further indicates that very low walkability conditions occur in high-demand areas, clarifying the need for targeted and tiered interventions. Based on these findings, the study proposes a WDP that prioritizes corridors by urgency, classifies streets by functional typology, and outlines heritage-sensitive strategies for pedestrian space reallocation, traffic management, vendor regulation, inclusive accessibility, and monitoring mechanisms.

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