Comparative Study of Soft-scape Element Significance in Improving the Walkability of Urban Corridor

The walkability of urban corridors determines the success of a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) area. Aside from affecting people’s propensity to walk, the walkability of urban corridors affects decision making in choosing a walking route(s). Variables of the walkability score of a route are the path profile, the route anatomy, building(s) development along the route(s), hardscape, and soft-scape elements. This study is focused on soft-scape elements. Studies showed that soft-scape elements can humanize the scale of the outdoor space, add attractiveness to the urban corridor, and control the micro-climate by creating ample shades and reducing exterior temperature. Soft-scape elements are applied differently depends on how it interacts with other natural and existing environmental elements such as the climate, building height, and traffic volume. Countries with hot-humid climate have the benefit of solar radiation and rainwater, the key elements which made the hot-humid climate uniquely differs from other climate zones. Previous researches are collected to gather the essential information about soft-scape elements and walkability of the urban corridor. The collected information is compared, analysed, and synthesized, to seek certain soft-scape design recommendation which could be applied for the walkability of urban corridors near the equator.