Exploring the drivers of Walkability: Implications for enhancing perception and policy to livable cities

• 45 drivers have been identified. • Improved public health and reduced traffic congestion are among the benefits. • Low and middle-income nations are more beneficial to enhance the drivers. • Experience on walkability drivers helps as input to shape policymakers’ perception. • Minority and low-income groups tend to walk less in unsupportive environments. Building sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with urban walkability emerging as a basic urban planning strategy to create more livable cities. This study aimed to identify and summarize the drivers of urban walkability, ultimately contributing to the livable city’s agenda by influencing the perception of both the community and policymakers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria, along with the eye-balling method, were employed to identify and evaluate key research papers on urban walkability. A total of 45 drivers were identified and grouped into four categories: socio-demographic, eco-infrastructural, biophysical, and policy and planning- based on thematic similarities, suitable in serving as a framework to strengthen sector-based actions and collaborations vital especially to developing regions. The findings also indicated that leveraging the drivers can improve societal and policymakers perception, attitude, and technical capacity, fostering sustainable actions toward urban walkability. For effective and sustainable actions, the framework should be tailored and used in developing countries based on their context. Moreover, the classification framework on urban walkability drivers provides a strong foundation for future research in developing nations aiming to create livable cities.