Is it research or just walking? Framing walking research methods as “non-scientific”

The article explores problem of exposing walking research methods (WRMs) to misuse, criticism and framing as “non-scientific”. According to authors, WRMs are framed as “non-scientific”: (1) by researchers and their rigorous top-down approach, (2) by research participants and their lack of interest in providing quantitative indicators, (3) by public authorities as they are can be interested in simple answers to non-scientific questions. The problem of misuses and framing of the WRMs as “non-scientific” is discussed by referring to two examples: using WRMs to support art projects and local fieldwork activities and adapting WRMs as a diagnostic tool for the local policy projects such as the development of strategies for urban development, pedestrian policy-making, and urban renewal projects.