Wellington's street-connecting walkways could be better – study

Graffiti, litter, and insufficient lighting and signage on Wellingtons street-connecting walkways are likely to be discouraging their use, researchers say.

A University of Otago, Wellington study of 118 of the Capitals street-connecting walkways found graffiti was commonly visible (51% of walkways), as was litter (58%). Litter involving glass was present on 17% of walkways. On walkways with guttering, most (89%) were overflowing in at least one place with plant debris or living plants.

Lighting was often "insufficient" at walkway entrances, with only 20% having lighting at both entrances. In addition, only 3% of walkways with steps had step edges painted to assist with visibility at night.

Lead author of the study, Associate Professor Nick Wilson, says good urban design, including street connectivity, is important to encourage walking, which in turn helps prevent chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

"These conditions account for a large share of health loss for New Zealand, and are major costs for the tax-payer funded health system," Wilson says.

Wellington City Council "could do better" with walkway maintenance and monitoring of the state of walkways, including engaging the public to help identify improvements needed, he says.

"A public monitoring system that enables people to report issues using, for example, free mobile apps, a text or picture message, or a website to report problems, would help Councils manage and respond to issues efficiently. But even the form used in this study could be used by the public."

Some potential improvements to walkways would be fairly low cost, Wilson says.

"Improved signage would be inexpensive, and greater use of motion-sensitive and highly-directional LED lighting would both improve lighting and reduce electricity and maintenance costs."

He suggests central government could play a greater role in funding research on the most cost-effective approaches to walkway improvements throughout New Zealand, and could also work with councils on establishing monitoring systems that the public can easily participate in.

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Wellington's street-connecting walkways could be better - study