Street preferences in Oslo. A map-based survey of favorite streets, disliked streets and route choices

In this study, we have investigated which streets in Oslo city center the city’s inhabitants like and dislike, and what qualities make the inhabitants enjoy or not enjoy city streets. Data was collected using a web-based questionnaire in which respondents registered streets on an interactive map. The three most-liked streets were Torggata, Karl Johans gate and Markveien. Street life, eateries and shops were often given as reasons that a street was well-liked. The three least-liked streets were Storgata, Karl Johans gate and Brugata. Insecurity, people who create social discomfort and dirtiness were often chosen as grounds for disliking a street. There was greater dispersion in which streets the respondents liked than disliked. Karl Johans gate Oslo’s main street with the royal palace in the western end and the main train station in the eastern end, was both liked and disliked by the respondents. Street life was most frequent justification for liking Karl Johans gate, and crowdedness was the most frequent justification for disliking the street; which reflects differences in peoples’ perceptions and preferences.