in the interest of effective transport planning it is important to measure the theoretical walkability of an environment based on geographic indicators the amount of walking activity that is actually undertaken as well as the perceptions that people have regarding the feasibility and enjoyment of walking as these factors strongly influence decisions to undertake trips on foot another challenge for transport planners is improving walking infrastructure and encouraging greater walking at the expense of individual motorised transport specifically while maintaining or increasing the ridership and mode share of public transit options this means making walking spaces more enjoyable and improving the connectivity of and ease of transfers between modes it is important to recognise that greater walkability in cities will not be achieved one street at a time but through comprehensive strategic planning in urban transport design regarding the location of places of employment transport hubs education sites sports and leisure sites health care sites and retail locations