Streefgauge

Streefgauge is a composite metric used in urban planning to quantify the quality and functionality of street environments from a pedestrian perspective. The aim is to provide a single index that captures how friendly a street is for walking, shopping, and social interaction, rather than for vehicles alone.

The metric combines several sub-indices, including walkability (pedestrian comfort and path quality), safety (traffic speed, collision risk, lighting), accessibility (barrier-free design, crosswalks), connectivity (intersection density and route directness), and comfort (shade, weather protection, noise). Data are drawn from field observations, urban sensors, GIS analyses, and resident surveys.

Streefgauge is typically reported as a 0 to 100 index, calculated as a weighted sum of normalized sub-indices. Weights vary by study, city, or policy focus. The method supports micro-scale evaluations of street segments and macro-scale assessments of districts. It is intended as a planning and evaluation tool, not a prescriptive standard.

Limitations include context sensitivity, data availability, and potential bias in survey-based inputs. Critics note that the metric may underrepresent cultural practices or seasonal variation. Standards for calculation are not universal, and practitioners often document their methodology for transparency. Related concepts include walkability, pedestrian level of service, and street design guidelines.