Exploring Urban Liveability: The Key Performance Indicators for Walkability

Authors

  • Siti Aisyah Zakaria Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Marlyana Azyyati Marzukhi Studies of Town and Regional Planning, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Aidatul Fadzlin Bakri Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.5641

Keywords:

Urban Planning, Urban Liveability, City Street, Walkability, Key Performance Indicator

Abstract

Walking refers to the act of moving on foot, and it offers individuals an intimate sense of the urban environment. It reduces harmful emissions and promotes a healthier lifestyle. This underscores the importance of designing a pedestrian-friendly physical environment, incorporating elements such as land use, sidewalk quality as well as street connectivity to encourage and increase walking rates. Walkability is also used as a performance measure, assessing the ability of city streets to promote and encourage walking behaviour in communities. This study proposes a comprehensive framework integrating Indicators, Key Performance, and Key Components to enhance urban walkability. The framework identifies elements influencing the pedestrian experience including safety and security, scenery, comfort, convenience, continuity and visibility, convivial, good health, and climate. This study took a qualitative and quantitative approach using the structured literature review and empirical observations. This methodology identified significant gaps to walkability, including inadequate accessibility, uneven sidewalks, and a lack of shaded walkways, particularly for those with disabilities. Comparative research looking at major cities such as Copenhagen, Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore for ways to design city streets was carried out. The findings highlight to redesign the city street through expanding green space, and enhancing pedestrian safety. There is need of combining global best practices with local demands to increase walkability in Kuala Lumpur. It highlights the vital role of walkability in enhancing urban quality of life, creating inclusive, dynamic communities, and addressing global sustainability challenges.

Author Biographies

  • Siti Aisyah Zakaria, Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Siti Aisyah binti Zakaria has a diploma and a bachelor's degree in town and regional planning. She continued her education with a Master's degree in Heritage and Conservation Management, proving her dedication to the long-term preservation of urban landscapes. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Built Environment, and her research focuses on urban walkability, with the goal of creating more pedestrian-friendly and inclusive cityscapes. Aminah also participates in training programs for municipal planning officials, which increases her practical impact on urban development. For further information, contact her at aisyah80@yahoo.com.

  • Marlyana Azyyati Marzukhi, Studies of Town and Regional Planning, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Marlyana Azyyati Marzukhi is a Senior Lecturer and the Head of the Center of Studies for Town and Regional Planning at Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Selangor. She has a PhD in Planning from the University of Auckland (2017), a Master's in Land Administration and Development from Universiti Teknologi MARA (2009), and a Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (2003). Her areas of expertise include physical planning, urban governance, planning legislation, land administration, and mental health planning. She may be reached at marlyana@uitm.edu.my or marlyanaazyyati@gmail.com.

  • Aidatul Fadzlin Bakri, Studies of Architecture, School of Architecture and Interior Architecture, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Aidatul Fadzlin binti Bakri is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre of Studies for Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Planning, and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Puncak Alam. She completed her PhD in Cultural Heritage at the University of Birmingham in 2019, following her MSc in Heritage and Conservation Management and her Bachelor's and Diploma in Architecture from Universiti Teknologi MARA. Her expertise lies in architecture, cultural heritage, and conservation. Aidatul Fadzlin actively contributes to academic and research circles, with multiple publications and project involvements. She can be contacted at aidatulfadzlin@uitm.edu.my

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Published

23-08-2025

Issue

Vol. 22 No. SI (2025): Built Environment Journal

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Siti Aisyah Zakaria, Marlyana Azyyati Marzukhi, Aidatul Fadzlin Bakri

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How to Cite

Exploring Urban Liveability: The Key Performance Indicators for Walkability. (2025). Built Environment Journal, 22(SI). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.5641

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