Universal design as a framework for enhancing tourist friendly and well being oriented urban spaces in Luxor Egypt

Urban spaces in heritage tourist cities play a central role in shaping visitors’ experience and supporting residents’ quality of life. In Luxor, Egypt, the performance of these spaces is strongly influenced by accessibility, environmental comfort, safety, and cultural legibility. This study investigates universal design as an integrative framework to enhance urban well-being and improve tourist experiences in heritage urban environments. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic literature review, analysis of international best practices, and empirical fieldwork. Primary data were collected through questionnaire surveys administered to 339 participants (55% visitors, 40% residents, 5% professionals) across two key urban areas: Railway Station Square and the surroundings of Luxor Temple, using a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to the survey data, including frequency distributions and mean score calculations. Independent-samples t-tests were used to compare perceptions between residents and tourists. Observational data were interpreted using universal design indicators. The findings reveal significant deficiencies: approximately 95% of respondents confirmed the lack of accessible infrastructure for all users, 88.2% reported the absence of adequate seating and shading, and approximately 82.4% considered street surfaces unsafe for movement. These deficiencies negatively influence perceived comfort, ease of movement, and overall user satisfaction. This study concludes that integrating universal design principles into heritage urban planning can substantially improve urban well-being and enhance the quality of the tourist experience, while supporting inclusive and sustainable development in culturally sensitive cities. Universal design improves accessibility and perceived urban well-being in heritage tourist cities. Empirical assessment of public spaces in Luxor reveals critical accessibility and comfort gaps. Findings support integrating inclusive design principles into heritage urban development strategies.