The Significance of Pedestrian Pathways as Place Identity in an Urban Environment

Abstract

In an urban environment, pedestrian pathways are an essential physical structure that contributes significantly to establishing place identity. This review investigates the role of pedestrian pathways in shaping place identity, highlighting their physical and social importance. It explores how these pathways generate social attributes, such as place identity, within the urban context, addressing the often-overlooked significance of these structures. The undervalued physical and social significance of these pathways is an inquiry that the research aims to address. A comprehensive review of databases specializing in pedestrian pathways and place identity was conducted to examine this, focusing on books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and other relevant materials from the past five years. The findings demonstrate that pedestrian pathways are crucial in defining a place's identity through physical features, creating meaningful connections between people and their environment. By enhancing the physical characteristics of urban spaces, pedestrian pathways help foster a sense of belonging and identity among residents. Hence, pedestrian pathways significantly improve an urban environment's physical characteristics while nurturing place identity. This research offers new perspectives into the relationship between physical features and social ramifications and approaches to urban design that strengthen physical and social significance. Furthermore, it suggests approaches to urban design that recognize and strengthen the physical and social significance of pedestrian pathways, offering a framework for creating more meaningful and cohesive urban environments.