Modeling Pedestrian Accessibility: Research on Public Space of Industrial Heritage Renovated Districts

Pedestrian accessibility of public space is a crucial basis for ensuring public equality in sharing resources and enhancing spatial vitality and utilization efficiency. This research applied complex network theory to examine pedestrian accessibility in industrial heritage renovated public spaces, integrating the node efficiency model with an improved gravity model to propose the node accessibility model. By taking Xi’an Banpo International Art District as a case study, 13 public spaces were selected and categorized into categories to identify the current characteristics and key deficiencies. The results showed that public space pedestrian accessibility shows a positive correlation with the quality of the spaces, though individual nodes may deviate due to network effects. Correlation analyses indicated that an appropriate road setting in public spaces contributed to positive pedestrian accessibility of the whole district; however, poor spatial environment and lack of arts and cultural atmosphere were key reasons for low pedestrian accessibility. In response, four strategies for improving the pedestrian accessibility of public spaces in industrial heritage renovated districts were proposed, which included industrialization of public transport space, peripheral space integration, entrance space transition, and internal space enhancement. This study provides scientific methodology and theoretical guidance for the optimization of public space in industrial heritage renovated projects and contributes new insights into industrial heritage preservation and urban space renewal.