Walkability Implementation in Neighborhood in Developing Countries Having Weak Development Control and Implementation System

Abstract

Walkability is the design and organization of the environment that encourages walking as a convenient, safe, and enjoyable mode of transportation. In many developing countries, walking remains a dominant mode of transport. Yet, pedestrian needs are often inadequately addressed due to informal urban planning, weak development controls, limited institutional capacity, and implementation challenges. While policies and plans related to non-motorized transport exist across contexts, their effectiveness often depends on how they are implemented and supported at the local level. This research explores how bottom-up approaches and participatory initiatives, when aligned with formal urban planning systems, can improve walkability in developing-country contexts characterized by weak governance structures. Using three case studies from Karachi (Pakistan), Ahmedabad (India), and Chennai (India), the study applies behavior-informed frameworks, namely the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation – Behavior) and the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW), to analyze how walkability interventions influence pedestrian behavior. This research highlights how grassroots actions, tactical urbanism, and participatory approaches can address behavioral, spatial, and social barriers to walking, even where formal planning systems face limitations. It also explores how these initiatives are funded and supported through institutional collaborations in resource-constrained environments.