Physical street attributes and walkability : a street-level analysis of Jaffna city center

Abstract

Walkability is a vital component of sustainable urban development, yet pedestrian environments in many South Asian cities are declining due to rapid urbanisation and motorisation. Jaffna City Centre presents a unique context where walking is deeply embedded in daily life through cultural practices, religious activities, and compact urban form. This study examines how physical street attributes influence walkability in this culturally sensitive urban area. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, focusing on three arterial roads—Hospital Road, Stanley Road, and Kasthooriyar Road. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys (n = 100), field observations, pedestrian behaviour studies, interviews, and spatial analysis using QGIS and Space Syntax. Physical street attributes such as sidewalk continuity, pedestrian crossings, traffic volume, on-street parking, and street greenery were assessed using urban design qualities—safety, comfort, accessibility, connectivity, and attractiveness—as indicators of walkability.The findings reveal substantial deficiencies in pedestrian infrastructure. Continuous sidewalks are absent in 89% of street segments, and 72% of pedestrian crossings lack adequate signage or signalisation. Vehicular encroachment occupies approximately 43% of pedestrian space during peak hours, while limited shading intensifies thermal discomfort under Jaffna’s hot climatic conditions. These shortcomings significantly reduce pedestrian safety and comfort despite the city’s strong cultural reliance on walking. The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive, pedestrian-oriented street design and contributes context-specific evidence to walkability research in under-studied South Asian cities.