The impact of climate crisis perception on transportation and walkability satisfaction in Seoul

This study examines how perceptions of the climate crisis influence satisfaction with public transportation and walkability, based on 65,052 responses from the 2022 ~ 2023 Seoul Survey. A Climate Crisis Perception Index is constructed through principal component analysis that incorporates views on temperature anomalies, heavy precipitation, and drought. A two-way fixed effects model is applied to analyze how this index relates to individual satisfaction levels. The findings reveal that individuals with heightened climate crisis perception report significantly higher satisfaction with public transportation and pedestrian environments. This relationship is particularly evident among higher-income individuals (top 25%), who are also less likely to use private vehicles and show increased satisfaction with bus and subway services. In contrast, no such pattern is observed among lower-income individuals (bottom 25%). Moreover, climate crisis perception does not significantly influence satisfaction with nighttime walking safety. These results provide empirical insight into how environmental awareness shapes urban mobility preferences. Two key policy implications emerge: First, enhancing public transportation quality can support climate-conscious behavior. Second, tailored communication strategies should be implemented to raise public awareness of climate change, especially among underserved populations. Together, these efforts could promote sustainable and equitable urban development in response to growing climate challenges.