The perceptual experience of walking within urban environments encompasses a complex blend of physical, sensory, and emotional factors that shape how individuals relate to their surroundings. This study critically examines the formal and sensory qualities of urban spaces and how these influence walkability, with a focus on promoting cities that prioritise the pedestrian experience as a cornerstone of sustainability and urban liveability. Drawing from interdisciplinary sources—including architecture, landscape design, literature, environmental psychology, and aesthetics—the study contextualises walking not merely as physical movement but as a meaningful experiential act. It identifies key variables such as spatial configuration, environmental stimuli (light, sound, texture), and personal factors (memory, mood, cultural background), asserting that these collectively define the uniqueness of individual walking experiences. The challenge of operationalising such subjective and often intangible experiences is addressed through a tripartite methodology that includes expert analysis, researcher-immersed evaluation, and direct citizen engagement. This mixed-methods approach provides a more nuanced and context-sensitive assessment of walkability than traditional transport-focused metrics, which tend to neglect the sensory richness and psychological depth of urban environments. The city of Taipei is selected as a case study for its compatibility with walkability criteria such as high population density, mixed-use development, and pedestrian accessibility. The research identifies both strengths and areas for improvement in the central urban zone by evaluating how the built environment contributes to or detracts from a positive sensory walking experience. Ultimately, the study advocates for an expanded definition of walkability—one that integrates aesthetics, comfort, identity, and human-scale perception—thus contributing to healthier, more inclusive, and emotionally resonant urban environments.
Fernández Muñoz, L. (2015) El recorrido: evaluación de las cualidades sensoriales y formales del medio urbano como parte de los criterios de caminabilidad. La ciudad de Taipei como caso de estudio. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
