After a year and a half of mobility interventions in the SUNRISE neighbourhood in Jerusalem, some positive results are coming out from our local partners.
The results that come from comparing the first round of a survey done in Autumn 2017 with the second round completed in Spring 2019 showed that walking, in general, has significantly increased in Baka.
By analysing the results of both questionnaires, SUNRISE is pleased to confirm that the hard co-creation work done in the past months is paying off! Adults and children recognise the benefits of walkability, which have become a vital mobility option to go to work, to school and for their leisure activities in the neighbourhood.
When it comes to arrival to work, the use of sustainable mobility has increased: walking (22% to 30%) and public transport (17% to 24%). For residents, walking risen from 61% to 66%, meaning that people living and working in Baka started going to work by walking, instead of using other means of transport such as the car.
As one of the main target groups for the project, the measures impacted children too. Walking to school increased from 55% to 75%, while walking accompanied by adult increased from 7% to 50%. This last result shows the potential of initiatives such as safety-arrival-to-school-program promoted by SUNRISE local partners with the collaboration of the local police and volunteers.
The surveys also showed that the use of public space for social gathering also increased from 39% to 47%, which was one of the objectives of some interventions in the neighbourhood such as the conversational bench and the Gad Rivka intervention. People also indicated to have started walking to meet friends and join other leisure activities which have grown from 32% to 44%.
The surveys also spotted the willingness of residents to learn more about walkability and contribute to shaping the local strategy. The surveys helped to identify some barriers to walkability such as accessibility and poorly maintained sidewalk (11% to 10%). People also indicated as a mobility issue, the lack of bicycle paths (14% to 15%). All very interesting insights for future local mobility interventions in the district.
Furthermore, the second round of the survey included a question related to the awareness of SUNRISE interventions within the neighbourhood. The results showed that 42% of respondents were familiar with the conversational bench, 58% were familiar with the corner upgrade in Gad-Rivka, 36% were familiar with the green path, and 34% knew about the walking to school program. However, only 14% of participants indicated to be familiar with the Thursday-Friday walking, which is part of the educational program.
Overall, the results revealed the enormous potential of the SUNRISE methodology when it comes to transforming mobility in car-oriented neighbourhoods such as Baka. Transformation is on its way and we are happy to be part of it!
Learn more about Baka here.