Designing runnable cities

Running has been totally integrated into the daily life of many people around the world. The aim of this study is to understand the behavior of urban runners and to evaluate the integration of running tracks in urban public spaces in terms of safety, quality of service, aesthetics, and remarkable possibilities regarding the economy of cities. GPS track data from physical activity tracking apps of runners are extracted and analyzed. The design and management of existing streets, spaces and parks to facilitate urban runners are proposed and evaluated using a micro-simulation model. Results indicate that the proposed interventions promote safer and better utilized running routes for leisure and commuting purposes. The design of running-friendly cities can be a promising future city-living strategy.