Sustainable walkability in inner areas of Italy: a research proposal on AI-based simulation for older adults

This paper aims at discussing the ongoing research activities that are being conducted on the use of AI-based solutions to promote walkability indexes in the Italian inner areas. Although social sustainability is an expected outcome of the walkability concept, the literature has focused on urban social sustainability and the development of socially sustainable urban communities, while attention to pedestrian-friendly rural areas is lacking. The paper examines existing research on the subject and emphasises the potential of agent-based simulation to create indicators that promote service accessibility and inclusion, specifically in terms of sustainable walkability in rural areas with a high density of older people.