Assessing Walking Accessibility: A GIS-Based Analysis of Postal Services in the City of Naples

The current patterns of rapid urbanization pose significant challenges to social and economic inclusion. The planning of local services within urban environment is crucial in addressing issues of accessibility. The assessment and resolution of shortcomings depends on holistic assessment of disparities in accessibility. This paper examines the accessibility of population to local services, with a particular focus on postal services in the city of Naples. In the Italian context, as in many other nations, national posts provide a broad range of essential logistical, financial and social services, making their accessibility a key factor in urban inclusion. In the case of Poste Italiane, in line with obligations under European and national law, the company explicitly states that the strategic positioning of its offices is essential to effective community service. The study develops a modified Two Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) methodology to measure the levels of accessibility to post offices during both morning and afternoon hours. The research aims to identify spatial disparities in service accessibility and to provide insights into improving urban planning and service distribution, particularly for more vulnerable population groups. The methodology used in this study is based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and considers the supply and demand of urban services as well as the mobility patterns and behavioral traits of the population. The application of the 2SFCA methodology in Naples reveals significant variations in accessibility levels. The findings indicate that substantial portions of the population, particularly in the urban periphery, experience poor accessibility to post offices, and that spatial accessibility to services varies remarkably depending on the setting of opening hours by Poste Italiane. The study underscores the importance of tailored urban strategies in ensuring equitable access to essential services, thereby enhancing the quality of life.