Bridging between Perceived Walkability and Urban Design Perspectives: Context-Specific Insights from Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Walkability is an essential concept not only for promoting public transport usage but also for fostering inclusive built environments and equitable mobility in rapidly developing cities. However, a research gap remains in elucidating perceived walkability from urban design perspectives and its causal impact on walking behavior, particularly reflecting the varied social and cultural contexts of such cities. This study investigates the latent factors influencing perceived walkability and modal choice, integrating landscape and transport planning approaches drawing on statistical analysis of data from an interview survey with public transport users in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area (Jabodetabek), Indonesia. The findings underscore context-specific perceptions of walkability embedded within the urban fabric of the study area, showing that vibrancy and openness are prioritized in urban settings, while safety and accessibility are critical in suburban contexts. Actionable policy recommendations emphasize perception-based design tailored to local contexts, contributing to inclusive mobility in emerging and developing cities.