Urban walkability and resilience: an assessment of climate-responsive public spaces in Pasar Karat (Loken) Ipoh, Perak

In light of growing urban heat and social vulnerabilities, it is becoming more widely acknowledged that urban walkability and resilience are essential to building livable, climate-responsive cities. Although general urban centres have been the subject of much research, little is known about how traditional markets, such as Pasar Karat (Loken) in Ipoh, can be developed and modified to become resilient, walkable public areas that successfully address local climate and community needs.“In this study, we wanted to find out how the public spaces in Pasar Karat (Loken), Ipoh, can be assessed and improved through climate-responsive design to enhance urban walkability and resilience.”We used a mixed-method approach to evaluate urban walkability and resilience in Pasar Karat (Loken), Ipoh, combining structured questionnaires with on-site observations, pedestrian counts, and microclimate measurements. This enabled us to record visitors' impressions of the area while assessing social interactions, accessibility, and thermal comfort. We were able to pinpoint the market's climate-responsive design's main advantages and disadvantages by combining empirical data with community input.According to our assessment, Pasar Karat (Loken) fosters lively social interaction and cultural identity, but the public areas are extremely susceptible to heat stress, with surface temperatures recorded there typically being 3–4°C warmer than in shaded areas. According to survey results, 68% of visitors experienced heat discomfort during peak hours, and there was a notable decline in the number of pedestrians at midday. In order to maintain walkability and resilience in the market environment, these findings emphasise the necessity of additional shading, greenery, and climate-responsive design elements."This study demonstrates that maintaining walkability and resilience in Pasar Karat (Loken), Ipoh, requires improving climate-responsive elements like shade, greenery, and pedestrian-friendly design. The results highlight how crucial it is to combine environmental comfort and cultural vibrancy in order to inform future urban planning and policy in conventional market settings.