Understanding measurement of walkability in urban environments: a systematic review and research agenda

Abstract

Walkability, a multifaceted field spanning spatial, psychological, personality, cultural, and social aspects, lacks comprehensive literature reviews that bridge its connections to architecture, urban design, and planning. This research addresses this gap by conducting a thorough analysis of walkability research trends over a decade (2013-2023), aiming to provide a comprehensive taxonomy that encompasses critical aspects such as environments the scope of analysis, research profile, walkability dimensions, and criteria, data types, data collection tools, analysis methodologies, and overall contributions. The aims of this systematic review are to (i) provide a taxonomy of walkability, including issues, settings, analysis scope, research profile, dimensions, and criteria; (ii) systematically summarize the quantitative and qualitative methods employed in the analysis; (iii) identify research trends; issues, gaps, purpose, and future directions for walkability studies. Based on 153 systematically searched and synthesized articles, the study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach, which involves meticulously searching databases such as Web of Science and Scopus. A wide range of urban scales, from macro to micro, including city, neighbourhood, and street-level evaluations, the analyses focus on walking behaviour and walkability using a general user profile. A quantitative approach is commonly used in most studies, with a measurement-based approach using specific tools/software and a perception-based approach using surveys to analyze spatial data from the physical dimensions of walkability. The review underscores the need for a standardized classification system to enhance cross-disciplinary research in walkability, asserting its pivotal role in addressing global challenges and fostering walkable urban environments.