The perceived importance of urban design qualities for walkability in Czech city centres: An expert-based assessment

Walkability is essential for promoting sustainable mobility, public health, and urban vitality in cities. This article examines the perceived importance of urban design qualities (UDQ) on walkability in Czech city centres. Based on expert ratings in questionnaires (n = 46) and a follow-up workshop (n = 8), the study provides an expert-weighted framework for planning institutions. The research determined that according to experts, the two most significant UDQ are Tidiness (19.7%) and Safety & Sensations (19.2%). This result, where UDQs such as Complexity and Imageability were lower ranked, contrasts with findings in Western countries and confirms that the importance of basic walking conditions (safety and maintenance) still persists in Czech city centres. The most important individual indicators that shape attractive walkable urban environments in the Czech Republic are Traffic Density & Speed, Street Furniture, the Condition of Buildings, Pavements and Vegetation. Based on this empirical evidence, insights relevant to the broader Central and Eastern Europe are discussed.