João Martins

Dr. João Martins

Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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8 September 2020 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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FAFernando Alves
Fernando Alves
Sara CruzSara Cruz
Sara Cruz
ARAnabela Ribeiro
Anabela Ribeiro
ASAna Bastos Silva
Ana Bastos Silva
João MartinsJoão Martins
João Martins
Inês CunhaInês Cunha
Inês Cunha
Nowadays, the elderly tend to make more trips: Health benefits resulting from their daily walking routines are an important topic in the context of urban renewal processes. Many health organizations and researchers have demonstrated the influence of the urban environment on walkability levels. This article aims to design a multifactor Walkability Index for Elderly Health (WIEH), capable of associating both the adequacy level of public spaces to elderly walkability, and physical exercise benefits while walking. The methodological approach comprised two main parts: Firstly, a literature review of main reports, legislation, and scientific articles was conducted at the intersection of ‘gerontology and physical exercise’ with ‘urban design and mobility’, leading to the selection of four aging-related studies as main contributors to the design of the WIEH; and, secondly, the development of the WIEH was undertaken, based on two premises and designed according to four steps. The first premise defined three systematic areas (urban tissue, urban scene, and safety), variables, and criteria to classify the pedestrian network; and the second premise focused on slopes and stairs in public spaces. The WIEH is divided in four steps: (1) Analyzing public spaces and characterizing their quality for walking, (2) considering the existence of slopes and stairs, (3) calculating different routes for the elderly in their daily routines, or when going to points of interest, and (4) selecting the “heart-friendly route” for elderly people. Adequate walking paths for the elderly can be identified through this innovative approach, with the aim of achieving direct health benefits during their daily routines. Ultimately, the WIEH is capable of supporting decision makers and designers in creating inclusive and age-friendly spaces.

5 January 2026 in European Planning Studies
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
João MartinsJoão Martins
João Martins
ÁCÁlvaro Costa
Álvaro Costa
CCCarlos Oliveira Cruz
Carlos Oliveira Cruz