What term describes the ease with which people can access different areas within an environment?

The term that describes the ease with which people can access different areas within an environment is known as permeability. In the context of urban design and architecture, permeability refers to how easily individuals can navigate through spaces and move from one area to another. High permeability indicates that the environment allows for a range of movement options, making it straightforward for pedestrians and vehicles to traverse. This can significantly affect the livability and functionality of a space, with well-designed environments promoting interaction, accessibility, and flow.

Robustness, while important in design, typically refers to the durability and resilience of a structure or system rather than access. Legibility relates to how easily a person can understand an environment or read its spatial layout, which impacts navigation but is not specifically about movement access. Variety pertains to the diversity of elements within a space but does not directly address how easily one can navigate through that environment. Therefore, permeability is the most accurate term for describing the ease of access within different areas of a built environment.