Streetscape Design and Population-Level Walking Activity in Santiago, Chile

Rapid urbanization, automobile dependence, and declining public-space quality have increased interest in how street-level environments influence pedestrian activity and urban vitality. Although prior research has focused on macro-scale urban form and individual walking behavior, fewer studies have examined population-level pedestrian activity and micro-scale streetscape characteristics, particularly in socioeconomically segregated Latin American cities. This study explores the relationship between pedestrian activity and street-level built environment characteristics in middle-income neighborhoods of Santiago. The analysis included 514 street segments across seven neighborhoods using a modified Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS) audit instrument assessing destinations, street functionality, safety, aesthetics, and urban design qualities. Pedestrian activity was measured through repeated pedestrian counts conducted during two observation periods in 2025. Street segments were categorized into low, medium, and high activity levels, and multinomial logistic regression models were applied. Results showed that several micro-scale streetscape characteristics were significantly associated with pedestrian activity. Tree presence, sidewalk width, landmark visibility, and street-name visibility were consistently linked to higher pedestrian activity across both periods. Building height, enclosure, benches, segment monitoring, and on-street parking were also significant in at least one model. These findings highlight the importance of micro-scale urban design in promoting walkable and socially vibrant urban environments. Overall, greener, more legible, and pedestrian-oriented streets were consistently associated with higher levels of pedestrian activity.