MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and Built Environment

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors

Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on
the Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural
Analysis and Social Aspects

A Research Proposal
AR134 Research Methods in Architecture

BY

CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P

2011111180
JUNE 29, 2015

The main goal of transportation is to provide a safe, efficient, and accessible modes of travel to
different pedestrians with different needs. An obstructed and narrow sidewalks can highly cause
inconvenience and risk to pedestrians who use sidewalk for its purpose.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7

Introduction
1.1.1 Background of the Study
Review of Related Literature
Statement of the Problem
1.3.1 Research Questions
1.3.2 Discussion of Hypothesis
Research Goal
1.4.1 Research Objectives
Merit of the Research and Proposed Contribution to Architecture
Scope and Limitation
Research Framework

3
4
5
6
6
7
7

CHAPTER 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1

Quantitative Research

2.2

Qualitative Research

2.3

Time Frame

10

CHAPTER 3 REFERENCES
3.1

References

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An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1

Introduction
The main goal of transportation is to provide a safe, efficient, and accessible modes of travel

to different pedestrians with different needs. The most basic means of transportation is walking from
one place to another by utilizing the provided sidewalks on the streets. Sidewalks are the paved paths
that are usually placed and elevated at the side of the road. These sidewalks are intended for the use
of the pedestrians for safer travel from one place to another. However, these sidewalks are often
mistakenly used as spaces for car parking and places for utilities and other manner of things.
An obstructed and narrow sidewalks can highly cause inconvenience and risk to pedestrians
who use sidewalk for its purpose. Just recently, the IA (Intramuros Administration) implemented the
more-pedestrian friendly walled city and asserted that way back 1973, pedestrianization in
Intramuros has already been proposed (Santiago, 2015). It has been years ever since but even so, no
evaluations and improvements have been made or taken action of.
The researcher have taken an interest on determining the status of the sidewalks in Intramuros
and the factors that cause obstructions to its intended purpose.

1.1.1

Background of the Study

This research proposal aims to evaluate the current status of the sidewalks in the streets of
Intramuros. This research proposal also aims to determine the factors that can affect the efficiency
and safety of these sidewalks and assess the effects of these factors based on the behavioural patterns
and social interactions of the users.
The study will focus on evaluating of the existing and status of sidewalks in Intramuros. In
this study, the behavioural patterns will be considered especially of the students and workers. The
social aspects will also be taken into consideration to support the need for improvements concerning
the sidewalks and its elements. The data that will be gathered shall be used as future references for
further assessment and evaluation of the existing sidewalks to come up with a solution for an efficient
and safer sidewalks in the future.

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

1.2

Review of Related Literature

Architectural Sociology
Jean Beaman (Beaman, 2002) defined that Architectural Sociology approaches questions in

examining how architectural forms is influenced and how it reacts to sociocultural phenomena. As
today, people are not aware that human behaviour and social interactions plays a big role in the
architectural design. These social aspects affect the overall design from predesign phase to postconstruction itself.
Therefore, to come up with suitable theories on methods for architectural design considering
these social aspects, architectural and social studies should be taken both in account to create spaces
that support social interaction and is efficient and aesthetical at the same time. Physical space affects
people by providing safety from the elements, a place where people can gather to perform specific
tasks. The space can mean different things to the people who occupy it, and how they learn to define
it and themselves becomes impatient. (Architectural Sociology, n.d.)

Benefits of Sidewalks
Providing walkways for pedestrians dramatically increases how well pedestrians perceive
their needs are being met along roadways (NCHRP Report 616, Multimodal Level of Service
Analysis for Urban Streets, 2008). By providing facilities that are more comfortable, we can increase
the number of trips made by walking, particularly in areas with mixed land uses. (Transportation,
2009).
Of course providing safer and efficient sidewalks increases transportation options for
pedestrians. As for example, people tend to travel by riding on pedicabs in Intramuros to travel in
convenience and avoid unsafe travelling on narrow and obstructed sidewalks. With this the vehicular
density increases and cause traffic jam especially on busy streets. Additionally, providing by
removing pedestrians off the vehicular lanes offers motorist operations to be improved and increase it
capacity.

Walking Along Roadways

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An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

Roadway characteristics such as the absence of sidewalks, higher traffic volumes, higher
vehicle speeds, and narrower unpaved shoulders increase the likelihood that a pedestrian/motor
vehicle walking along roadway crash will occur. Specifically, sidewalks appear to be the most
appropriate treatment on neighborhood streets, while wide unpaved shoulders may be more suitable
in more rural areas. (Administration, 2002). The perils for pedestrians having no efficient sidewalks
to travel on increases the probability of accidents to occur as they walk along roadways. Roadways
are for vehicles and so sidewalks must be provided for the safety of users and pedestrians on the
streets.

1.3

Statement of the Problem

Intramuros, as todays historic core of Manila also now serves as a tourist destination and as a

place for civilians settlements, public government agencies, and well-known schools in Manila. As
the population density in the walled city increase, the need of efficient sidewalks also increases. An
obstructed and narrow sidewalks can highly cause inconvenience and risk to pedestrians who intends
to use sidewalks for its purpose. Thus, these sidewalks efficiency and factors affecting it are in
question and needs to be evaluated and determined.

1.3.1

Research questions

This study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the current situation or status of the sidewalks in Intramuros?
2. How safe are these sidewalks and what are the factors affecting its efficiency?
3. In what ways can the users behavioural analysis and social interactions contribute to the
sidewalks efficiency?
4. How can these existing sidewalks be improved for the betterment of its purpose?

1.3.2

Discussion of hypothesis

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

The efficiency of sidewalks are lessen by the obstructions and elements that affects its
intended purpose. These existing sidewalks in Intramuros can be observed to be narrow, used as a
space for utilities and as parking spaces instead of pedestrians using it for safer and less hassle travel
by foot from one place to another. Many people walk along the streets of Intramuros as they go to
their school, work, and for other errands and concerns. These pedestrians, though provided with a
space to walk onto, will choose to walk on the lane of the street dedicated for vehicles which may
cause accidents and traffic jam. Obstructions such as signposts, utility posts, and parked vehicles on
walkways prevent pedestrians to use these sidewalks.
These obstructions, given that the sidewalks provided are not that wide enough, causes
pedestrians to walk into single file or wait for another one from the opposite direction to pass through
first before them, or risk scraping themselves. It cant be even be used by a person on a wheelchair. In
some cases, obstructions may even keep the pedestrians from walking or using the sidewalks at all.
This problem should be given concern and thus we need to be assured that the provided sidewalks are
efficient.

1.4

Research goal
The goal of this research is to assess the efficiency of existing streets in Intramuros and

determine the factors or elements affecting its effectiveness. Also, this research aims to provide
alternative design approaches and improvements to increase the efficiency of these sidewalks.

1.4.1

Research objectives

From the stated research questions, objectives are set to be as guidelines to what is needed to be
achieved and these are:
1. To evaluate the present situation of the sidewalks in Intramuros.
2. To assess the safeness of these sidewalks and determine the factors or elements existing that
affects its efficiency
3. To relate the users behavioural analysis and social interactions and come up with an analysis
for the assessment of the sidewalks efficiency.

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

4. To review on the standard sidewalks design and research on alternative designs to increase its
efficiency.

1.5

Merit of the research and proposed contribution to architecture

The future findings on this research will reflect to the benefit for the society to consider that

having efficient and unobstructed sidewalks contributes to a safer community. This research will be
beneficial to the students, workers, residents, and other pedestrians in having a safer space to walk on
without having inconvenience or even encountering accidents when walking along the roadways. This
will also be beneficial to the administrators and officials of Intramuros as they will be guided on what
they should be improving and providing to enhance the effectiveness of these sidewalks. For the
researcher, this study will serve as future reference for conducting further and future studies
concerning the subject matter.
As for Architectural means, this study will provide a better understanding on how the design
and planning of these sidewalks and the behavioural patterns and social interactions of people are can
be related to one another. Moreover, this research will provide an assessment and recommendations
on how to improve the quality and efficiency through design of these sidewalks for the betterment of
its purpose.

1.6

Scope and limitations

The purpose of this research is to assess the status and determine the factors affecting the

efficiency of sidewalks existing in Intramuros only. The data gathering will be conducted and
collected through observations and from the students, workers, tourists, and random civilians who are
inside the area of Intramuros. However, the researcher will not provide any informations, estimations,
or any other concerns on how much alternative designs and other financial related issues on sidewalk
will cost. Also, the researcher will not be considering the elements that can be found on sidewalks
other than the ones in Intramuros; sidewalks outside the walls will not affect the results and future

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

findings in this study. The period of the study will last for three and by then the researcher shall
already have arrived with all the data gathered and conclusion.

1.7

Research framework

This study is an inquiry about existing functions and concerns related to behavioural aspects and
social interaction of the users. The researcher conceptualized a framework that will aid her research
methods and how they will be directed.
ELEMENTS SEEN ON SIDEWALKS
(VISUAL OBSERVATION)

ILLUSTRATIVE AND INTERPRETATIVE ANALYSIS

OBSERVATION

SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS

INTERVIEW

ASSOCIATED/ CORRELATED ANALYSIS

TRANSCRIPT AND SUMMARIZE

TALLY AND PRESENT A GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION

ANALYSIS

SURVEY

CONCLUSION

DOCUMENT STUDY (PUBLIC SPACE ARCHITECTURE

NEW RESEARCH STUDY TO PROPOSE NEW SIDEWALK DESIGN
RECORD AND RELATE KEYPOINTS

STUDY

BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL INTERACTION THEORIES

METHODOLOGY

2.1

Qualitative Method

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

It is important to have an understanding of how society influences design in order to be able

to view the inherent influences in the design solution. This understanding will come only through
continued observation, research and experience of the individual (Dietrich). Architecture and human
behaviour are basically connected one way or another. Architecture influences human behaviour and
social interactions as social studies affects architecture from predesign and programming up to postconstruction phases.
Smith and Bugni define architectural sociology as the application of social theory and
methods to the architectural design process. Bugni explains how observing people in their natural
setting can provide clues for the architect on how social interaction occurs in various settings such as
classrooms, meeting rooms, office spaces, and pedestrian walkways. (Beaman, 2002)
It is a view of design and of the environment which places the values, needs and preferences
of users at the forefront of the design process. It is the philosophy of the design which has as its goal
the satisfaction of human needs and the elimination of environmentally induced stress. (Moore)

2.2

Quantitative Method
2.2.1

Descriptive Survey Method

Survey
A random survey to pedestrians in Intramuros will be conducted as means for this
method of data gathering. The data gathered in this random survey will state the
users response to the safety and efficiency of the sidewalks in Intramuros. The
survey instrument shall include questions and rating scale of excellent, very good,
satisfying, poor, very poor, always, frequently, seldom, and never depending on the
questions that the researcher will provide. Also a suggestion or opinion corner in the
questionnaire/survey paper shall be provided to take the users opinions and points of
views.

Observation

An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

The

researcher will first determine the elements existing of the sidewalks in

Intramuros. This is to evaluate what are the factors that are effective and are not.
Next is to assess the sidewalks efficiency for its intended purpose.
The researcher will also be observing the behavioural patterns and social
interactions of the users at given times of the day: morning, noon, afternoon, and
evening. The data collected through this observations shall be noted for the
researchers record and reference. The researcher will also take pictures with notes
and other important means of data collecting through photo taking. This method
shall yield a coded map which shows streets lacking sidewalks, streets with narrow
sidewalks, streets with efficient enough sidewalks, behavioural patterns and social
interactions observed, and also the population density in each street on a specific time
of the day.

Interview
The interview will involve the students, workers, and residents in/of Intramuros. The
interview may also involve the Intramuros administration staffs, and architects and
sociologist that is present around the area. These people will be interviewed for the
purpose of acquiring insights about the study. After the interviews, the data video or
voice recording, will be transcribed and summarized.

2.2.2

Correlational Method
The researcher will search, interpret and correlate related studies about safety and
side walk efficiencies and and behavioural patterns and social interactions. The data
gathered in this method will be used as references to the study. The researcher will
continue to research on related literatures on the web, books, and other means to aid
her and provide more informations in her research.

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An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

2.3

Timeframe

1ST WEEK

Obtain necessary papers to start the research

proper

2ND WEEK

Draft background outline for research proposal's

abstract

3RD WEEK

Obtain needed case studies, books, journals and

other references relating to efficiency of
sidewalks and behavioral and social interactions
of users.

4TH WEEK

Take pictures and gather informations through

observation of the sidewalks in Intramuros

5TH WEEK

Conduct the survey and interview proper

6TH WEEK

Analysis of all gathered informations through

observations, surveys, and interviews

7TH WEEK

Overall analysis; correlating all the data gathered

8TH WEEK

Formulation of Conclusions and answering the

research problems

9TH WEEK

Conclusion and final revisions

10TH WEEK

Submission of final paper

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An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

References
(n.d.). Retrieved from
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/tools_solve/walkways_trifold/
Administration, F. H. (2002, Febuary). Retrieved from Pedestrian and Bicycle
Safety Research Program: http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/collateral/PSAP
%20Training/gettraining_references_WalkingAlongRoadway.pdf
Architectural Sociology. (n.d.). Retrieved from Research Starters enotes.com, Inc.
eNotes.com: http://www.enotes.com/research-starters/architecturalsociology#research-starter- research-starter
Beaman, J. (2002, December). Architectural Sociology. Retrieved from Footnotes:
http://www.asanet.org/FOOTNOTES/DEC02/fn17.html
Dietrich, K. (n.d.). Sociology and Architectural Design. In K. Dietrich, Sociology
and Architectural Design (p. 11).
Moore, G. (n.d.). Architecture and Human Behavior: The Place of Environmentbehavior studies in Architecture. Retrieved from
http://sydney.edu.au/architecture/documents/staff/garymoore/28.pdf
(2008). NCHRP Report 616, Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban
Streets. Washington, D.C.
Santiago, K. S. (2015, April 18). Columnist Opinions: The Manila Times. Retrieved
from The Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/intramurosfail/176628/
Transportation, F. D. (2009). Conserve by Bicycle and Pedestrian Study Phase .
Tallahassee, Florida.

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An Assessment on the Efficiency and Factors Affecting the Intended Purpose of Sidewalks on the
Streets of Intramuros Based on Behavioural Analysis and Social Aspects
CAPILI, JANINE ANGELICA P.
2011111180
3/8/2016

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