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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Perception of pedestrian environment

heritage areas while also attending to the welfare of local contributing to the sustainable regeneration of heritage
communities is equally important. cities (Tweed & Sutherland, 2007). The study aimed to
Many heritage areas in China, such as Lijiang and investigate the environmental factors influencing the
Gulangyu, are car-free destinations. Transportation perceptions of residents and tourists while walking,
policies in these areas depend on the city’s situation and along with the extent of influence exerted by each
local government policies. While some historical areas factor. The findings of this research have implications
completely prohibit the use of cars, other cities restrict for subsequent studies in Gulangyu and other Chinese
motor vehicle traffic during specific times or in certain heritage cities.
zones. The prohibition of cars is justified because the roads 2. Literature review
in heritage areas are not designed for vehicles (Rahman,
2013). This transportation policy helps reduce pollution 2.1. Nature of walking
and traffic congestion while protecting the integrity of In walkability studies, walking is often classified into
heritage sites. two categories: Purposeful and recreational. Purposeful
Walking allows tourists to experience sites fully walking is characterized by a specific destination, and
(Mohanty et al., 2021). Slow walking is an ideal way to delve time constraints are considered a necessary activity. In
into historical, cultural, and ecological sites in greater detail contrast, recreational walking is a more open-ended
(Harumain et al., 2020). For residents, walking serves as an activity, allowing for greater spatial selectivity and a less
essential aspect of daily life. This difference in perception defined walking destination. Typically, purposeful walking
implies contrasting experiences for residents and tourists is associated with utilitarian destinations such as shops,
(Coldwell, 2017). Evidence suggests that tourist attractions, schools, workplaces, and bus stops (Sugiyama et al., 2012).
landscapes, and cultural places across World Heritage In contrast, recreational walking tends to be associated
sites can appeal to both tourists and residents (Du Cros & with natural or built recreational facilities like parks, open
Jolliffe, 2011; Winter, 2004). However, the appeal to tourists spaces, gyms, health clubs, and sports grounds (Sugiyama
and residents is often expressed differently. Heritage cities et al., 2012).
are communities where residents engage in their daily lives In heritage cities, there is a unique form of walking
while tourists visit these unfamiliar places for exciting known as travel walks, often engaged in by tourists. Tourists
recreational activities (Barber, 2019). Residents pay more to heritage cities may be more inclined to explore the city
attention to life-related places, such as shopping, physical on foot and cover longer distances than residents. Research
exercise, and social communication activities, while has suggested that walking is an excellent way for tourists
tourists are drawn to landmarks, architecture, streets, and to become better acquainted with a city, allowing for a
commercial activities. deeper exploration of the urban environment (Thompson,
Both residents and tourists value their experiences 2003).
of the environment in heritage cities, as walking serves Research on slow-moving systems has indicated that
not only as a leisure activity but also provides a deeper the needs of walkers with different travel purposes vary
understanding of the cultural and spiritual context of depending on the environment (Gu & Chen, 2014).
heritage areas (Barber, 2019). Therefore, the study of A review study found that purposeful walking among
walkability holds significant importance for people in adults is linked to the presence and proximity of retail
heritage cities. The relationship between walking and the and service destinations and functional aspects of routes
environment is well established in research (Forsyth et al., (Sugiyama et al., 2012). In contrast, leisure walking is
2009). Based on the theory of walkability, appropriate associated with the presence, proximity, quality, and
planning and adaptation of the environment can facilitate route esthetics of leisure destinations (Sugiyama et al.,
walking (Ewing & Handy, 2009). The perception of 2012). However, there is limited research on the walking
walkability is a crucial factor influencing walking behavior environment and walkability for tourists despite walking
(Arellana et al., 2020). Several related studies applying the being a common and meaningful activity (Dihingia et al.,
Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) have demonstrated 2022). Of the few studies conducted, comfort and safety
that the perception of walkability is a mediating variable factors are more commonly considered to influence the
influencing the relationship between the environment and walking experience of tourists (Dihingia et al., 2022).
respondents’ walking (Le et al., 2021).
In this study, the examination of differences in 2.2. Walking perception toward the environment
environmental perceptions may help identify specific Environmental perception refers to people’s subjective
targets for improving the heritage environment, experience and mental evaluation of their surroundings

Volume 6 Issue 1 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1879