An equitable and safer multi-objective cycling network design approach to connect green and blue spaces

In urban planning, integrating green and blue (waterside) spaces via functional cycling networks is crucial for accessible and sustainable development, with clear links to healthier lifestyles and environmental benefits. This paper presents a multi-objective approach to cycling network expansion that optimises connectivity between green and blue spaces while accounting for cost, coverage, equitable access, and safety. The approach provides useful decision support with a set of non-dominated solutions, where all solutions generate fully connected paths between existing cycle infrastructure and green and blue areas. This guarantees that the network design is functional, cycle-friendly, safer, and conducive to active transportation. To validate the approach, we generate a menu of solutions for the city of Southampton, UK. The results illustrate the model’s effectiveness in generating a network expansion design that connects existing cycling infrastructure to green and blue areas under different compromises among the criteria.