Regarded as critical infrastructure for a city’s planning and design, pedestrian facilities are considered to be crucial to the health and economic well-being of a city’s inhabitants. This study assesses the walkable environment of two urban neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi’s main island. The research aims at providing the primary data required to facilitate the development of policies, design strategies, and systems that will support sustainable walking environments throughout the Emirate. Specifically, the study examines the walking behavior of the users of two neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi. The following questions were explored: (1) What patterns of walking behavior are observable in the street, and what are their diurnal and seasonal rhythms? (2) What potential reasons could explain the observed walking behavior? (3) To what extent do the built environment and climate affect walking in Abu Dhabi? (4) What particular strategies could be adopted to encourage walking in Abu Dhabi? Data collection and analysis tools include the following: (1) Geographic Information Systems (GIS), (2) fieldwork, and (3) qualitative data assembled from a survey questionnaire. Survey results presented walking as a widely used form of non-motorized transportation for both leisure and utilitarian purposes among blue-collar employees working in the service and retail sectors. Transportation, entertainment, physical fitness, and health were reported as major reasons for walking. Although participants’ walking patterns were not significantly affected by climate, respondents reported that weather was the main source of discomfort while walking. Policy and design changes, infrastructure enhancement, and potential shading methods are proposed to enhance the walking experience.

被认为是城市规划和设计的关键基础设施，步行设施被认为对城市居民的健康和经济福祉至关重要。这项研究评估了阿布扎比主岛上两个城市社区的步行环境。该研究旨在提供必要的主要数据，以促进政策，设计策略和系统的开发，从而支持整个酋长国的可持续步行环境。具体而言，该研究检查了阿布扎比两个社区用户的步行行为。探讨了以下问题：（1）在街上可以观察到哪些步行行为模式，他们的昼夜节律是什么？（2）哪些潜在原因可以解释观察到的步行行为？（3）建筑环境和气候在多大程度上影响阿布扎比的步行？（4）可以采取哪些特殊策略来鼓励在阿布扎比散步？数据收集和分析工具包括：（1）地理信息系统（GIS），（2）实地考察和（3）从调查问卷中收集的定性数据。调查结果显示，在服务业和零售业工作的蓝领雇员中，步行是休闲和功利目的广泛使用的非机动运输形式。据报道，交通，娱乐，身体健康和健康是步行的主要原因。尽管参与者的步行方式并未受到气候的明显影响，受访者报告说，天气是走路时不舒服的主要根源。提出了政策和设计更改，基础设施增强以及潜在的遮光方法，以增强步行体验。