Chapter 4: Place-Based Versus People-Based Accessibility

Accessibility is a multi-faceted concept that ultimately centers on an individual ability to conduct activities within a given environment (Weibull, 1980). Accessibility is a fundamentally spatial concept: it is predicated on the ability to be present at some location where an activity such as shopping, education, health care, recreation, socializing or public events occur. Although traditional accessibility theory assumes physical presence, information and communication technologies (ICTs) afford the ability to be telepresent and participate without a physical presence at the activity location.

Traditional methods for measuring accessibility examine the spatial separation between some postulated key location in individuals’ lives (typically, home or workplaces) and other locations where required or desired activities occur (Kwan and Weber, 2003). These are place-based accessibility measures since they are functions of locations rather than people. Place- based accessibility measurement is a sensible approach: homes and workplaces are critical to most individuals and often serve as bases for travel, communication and participation in activities. However, while still viable and useful, place-based accessibility measures are increasingly incomplete.