Integrating Health and Well-being into Urban Design

Amid global concerns about physical inactivity and its relationship to health, this study aims to understand the relationships between walking behaviour, neighbourhood walkability, and outdoor thermal comfort. A detailed investigation of three high-to-low walkable and comfortable neighbourhoods in Buraydah City, Saudi Arabia, forms the basis of this study. The fieldwork included a questionnaire to survey thermal sensations and preferences, walking activities, and perceptions of walkability. Site-specific climatic data were collected for each participant from this hot-arid climatic zone during the hot summer of 2023. Data collected were collated in a GIS platform and tabulated for statistical correlation analysis. Findings reveal significant relationships between 1) high-to-low walkable and comfortable neighbourhoods and 2) perceived (land-use mix and intensity, street connectivity, and retail density) walkability and pedestrian behaviour, specifically regarding 1) frequency and duration of walking and 2) pedestrians estimated Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET). By optimising microclimatic conditions through strategies such as shading, green spaces, and improved neighbourhood characteristics—like increased street connectivity and compact, mixed-use development—cities can enhance outdoor thermal comfort and promote walking. The study highlights a positive association between high walkability, thermal comfort, and increased walking, offering guidance for urban planners to create healthier, more active communities, especially in extreme climates.