ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the methodological design, process and results from an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council-funded public health walk consultation in 2006, and evaluates the project's outcomes in 2016 after ten years in operation. While walkability has become one of the important concepts for sustainable urban development, the feasibility of this vision has been questioned because of the fragmented nature of urban society and the assumption of public awareness that these are shared spaces. The project was driven by the UK policy agenda to create a safe, inclusive and attractive public realm and improve public health. The steering group's evaluation of the tool's initial assessment of the public health walk route found that the digitised Geographic Information Systems for Participation (GIS-P) maps were clear, easy to interpret and informative. GIS-P facilitates this approach to engagement and to gathering local knowledge that is non-expert, experience-based data, alongside other forms of knowledge and information about environment and development issues.
