Smart and sustainable mobility have recently emerged as a solution to the problems
incurred by the intensive use of motorised transport modes. For many decades, cities have been
planned based on the needs of vehicle traffic, neglecting basic human needs for active mobility
and the adverse effects of motorised traffic on the natural environment. However, walking is an
environmentally friendly transport mode and a healthy form of making physical activity. Thus,
walking becomes an essential component of the transport and urban policies for achieving a more
sustainable development process. This paper presents the research project Smart Pedestrian Network
(SPN) that aims at promoting walkability as one of the critical dimensions of smart and
sustainable mobility in cities. The paper analyses the various components linked to SPN that can
make a pedestrian network “smart” and, therefore, a feasible alternative to motorised transport
modes. Three integrated components are analysed: i) an urban planning component supported in
a GIS-based multi-criteria model to assess the conditions provided to pedestrians and to support
the adoption of planning policies; ii) a smartphone app for pedestrian navigation, displaying optional
routes according to the pedestrian preferences and needs; and iii) a business component to
estimate and disseminate the multiple benefits of walking as well as the market potential of SPN.
By promoting an innovative linkage of these three components, SPN has a great potential for
improving walkability and, therefore, for creating more sustainable and liveable urban spaces.