Runsafe: Designing a walking barometer to create safe walking environments in public spaces.

Public space design plays a crucial role in encouraging physical activity, among other things. It significantly influences how people move and stay active. To map this, the ‘Perceived Neighbourhood Walkability’ scale is often used. Five dimensions (cleanness, visual aesthetics, landscape and nature, feeling of pressure, feeling of safety) determine whether or not people will use the space to move. 
We also note that these dimensions can have a different impact depending on people's gender or age. In other words, when you make interventions in public space, they do not have an immediate impact on all users and circumstances may still exclude certain target groups. 
Runsafe wants to explore this further by responding to the use and design of public space specifically for running. The Flemish sports participation monitor shows that 27% of Flemish people run. 
Runsafe aims to promote accessible public running environments for all. Recognizing the crucial role of urban planners, sports facilitators, safety experts and policy makers in shaping public space, Runsafe focuses on developing a running barometer to provide these professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to create safe public running environments that creates a safe experience for evryone.