A Carrying Capacity Calculator for Pedestrians Using OpenStreetMap Data: Application to Urban Tourism and Public Spaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces an online pedestrian carrying capacity calculator based on OpenStreetMap data, aiding sustainable urban tourism and public space management by preventing overcrowding and balancing multiple factors.

Contribution

It presents a novel online tool that calculates physical, real, and effective pedestrian capacities using OSM data for urban planning and tourism management.

Findings

Effective in managing urban tourism spaces

Helps prevent overcrowding and preserve quality of life

Applicable to various urban areas for sustainable planning

Abstract

Determining the carrying capacity of urban tourism destinations and public spaces is essential for sustainable management. This paper presents an online tool that calculates pedestrian carrying capacities for user-defined areas based on OpenStreetMap (OSM) data. The tool considers physical, real, and effective carrying capacities by incorporating parameters such as area per pedestrian, rotation factor, corrective factors, and management capacity. The carrying capacity calculator aids in balancing environmental, economic, social, and experiential factors to prevent overcrowding and preserve the quality of life for residents and visitors. This tool is particularly useful for tourism destination management, urban planning, and event management, ensuring positive visitor experiences and sustainable infrastructure development. We detail the implementation of the calculator, its underlying algorithm, and its application to the Santa Maria Maior parish in Lisbon, highlighting its effectiveness in managing urban tourism and public spaces.