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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Perception of pedestrian environment

and any changes within them (Peng & Zhou, 2001). a conflict between the identities of residents and tourists,
The perception of walking is often expressed through and the problems and solutions posed by this conflict have
individuals’ satisfaction with their environment. Increased also been studied in heritage areas in other countries such
environmental satisfaction may prompt walkers to spend as Venice, Quebec, and Oxford (Coldwell, 2017; Evans,
more time in a particular location or revisit it multiple 2002).
times (Herbolsheimer et al., 2020). Walking perceptions One of the challenges that heritage cities face is
result from subjective feelings and psychological states that their narrow and complex street layouts, making them
walkers experience as they engage in this activity.
unsuitable for motorized vehicles (Rahman, 2013). The
Ball et al. confirmed the impact of environmental roads were formed before the Industrial Revolution when
esthetics, convenience, and walking companions on people traveled on foot, in sedan chairs, or on horseback.
recreational walking by examining walkers’ perceptions The transport system has resulted in traffic congestion
(Ball et al., 2001). Carnegie et al. also found that and increased traffic accidents, particularly during
esthetic and functional environments were associated holidays (García-Hernández et al., 2017). Walking is a
with perceptions of walking and could promote more recommended solution to address these issues. It alleviates
walking activity and dwell time (Carnegie et al., traffic congestion and allows tourists to experience the
2002). The researcher investigated the walking time of city’s culture and environment in more detail, providing a
individuals on Korean streets and their satisfaction with more profound experience of the heritage city. By designing
the street environment, concluding that a comfortable a pedestrian-friendly environment, heritage cities can
street environment can improve the quality of walking create an attractive, cohesive, and vibrant atmosphere that
behavior (Kim, 2017). In a study of walking perceptions benefits residents and tourists (Gehl, 2013).
in a community park, Lee et al. identified gentle slopes,
provision of shade, pavements, pedestrian crossings, and Studies on walking in heritage cities are limited, but
street lights as the main environmental factors influencing some research has been conducted on the perception of
the perception of the walking environment (Lee et al., walking in heritage sites (Wang & Wong, 2020). One study
2016). Nag et al. investigated 14 factors, including footpath evaluated the environmental and spatial quality of historic
quality, footpath continuity, and shading/tree cover, that districts in Canterbury, England, using behavioral maps to
may affect satisfaction. They concluded that improving inform the enhancement of the pedestrian environment
the environment can change walking behavior, especially (Vasilikou, 2019). Another study surveyed tourists during
footpath continuity (Nag et al., 2020). The literature festivals in Oaxaca, Mexico, to understand their choice of
suggests that environmental factors significantly influence transport and the barriers that prevent them from walking
walkers’ perceptions of the walking environment and in heritage cities (Barrera-Fernández & Hernández-
behavior. Moreover, research in this area remains limited Escampa, 2019). A study on residents’ satisfaction with a
in China (Chan et al., 2021). This study applies a theoretical proposal to build a pedestrian path in a cultural heritage
framework to investigate the relationship between walking site in Milan found mostly supportive attitudes toward
perception and environmental evaluation in Chinese slow-moving ways, though it did not consider tourists’
heritage cities. By identifying the factors influencing attitudes (Maltese et al., 2017).
residents’ and tourists’ perceptions of the walking 3. Methods
environment, this study contributes to improving the
urban environment and pedestrian satisfaction in Chinese Gulangyu was included in the World Heritage List in
heritage cities. July 2017 under the theme of “Historic International
Community, earning its status as one of China’s most
2.3. Heritage city renowned heritage cities. In 1988, Gulangyu initiated

Heritage cities are tourist destinations, and their tourism the development of its tourism industry and adopted
appeal primarily stems from the value of heritage (historical the conservation system of national scenic areas under
buildings and culture), activity value (food, artistic, Xiamen City’s jurisdiction (Yan, 2018). Since the inception
commercial activities), natural scenery, and the regional of tourism in Gulangyu, it has become a prominent
environment of heritage (convenient transportation and pedestrian island. The study of walking on Gulangyu aims
surrounding tourist attractions), providing tourists with to improve the quality of physical activity for residents
self-growth, health benefits, social benefits, and cultural and tourists, providing a reasonable basis for the island’s
benefits (Tu, 2020). In addition, many of these cities, such sustainable development. This study involved collecting
as Lijiang, Gulangyu, and Pingyao in China, still function data through a questionnaire, with separate surveys and
as residential areas for the locals. This situation has created analyses conducted for residents and tourists.

Volume 6 Issue 1 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1879