2025 Volume 16 Article ID: PP3982
Walkability assessments have gained global attention for their role in promoting sustainable and inclusive urban mobility. This study evaluates the pedestrian environment in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, by modifying the Global Walkability Index (GWI) to incorporate locally derived, perception-based weights. Data were collected from 120 pedestrians across three urban street segments, using a structured questionnaire based on 11 walkability parameters—including two context-specific additions: air pollution exposure and temperature comfort. A total of 17 weighting schemes were tested to assess how different parameter weightings influence walkability scores. The results show that perception-based weighting yields consistently higher and more context-sensitive scores than the original GWI. Among all schemes, W2 (based on normalized mean Likert scores) was identified as the most effective, offering a balanced reflection of local pedestrian priorities. The proposed methodology demonstrates how integrating pedestrian feedback can enhance the accuracy and relevance of walkability assessments in tropical, rapidly urbanizing cities like Phnom Penh.
