Measuring perceived walkability in Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula: a multi-method integration of PPGIS, EEG, and self-reported emotions

This study proposes a multi-method framework that combines Participatory Geographic Information System (PPGIS) methodologies with neurophysiological measurements to assess perceived walkability. The framework overcomes critical methodological limitations in existing approaches, which often rely solely on either objective physical measures or subjective evaluations without examining their emotional and cognitive relationships. A sequential two-phase design was implemented in Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula. Phase 1 employed PPGIS-based shared walks methodology (n:70) to systematically map environmental features and evaluate perceptual dimensions of walkability. Phase 2 integrated mobile electroencephalography (EEG) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) (n:15) to capture real-time psychophysiological responses and validate emotional outcomes across four distinct urban routes representing varying walkability conditions. Phase 1 spatial analysis revealed that walkability-promoting features generated positive perceptual evaluations, while walkability-hindering features produced negative assessments. Phase 2 neurophysiological evidence broadly aligned with these patterns, while also demonstrating more complex interactions: pedestrianized and natural environments elicited elevated Alpha power and higher positive affect scores, whereas traffic-heavy environments exhibited elevated Theta and Beta activity alongside higher negative affect. Correlational analyses highlighted the nuanced relationship between PPGIS-derived subjective evaluations and objective neurophysiological responses, demonstrating that perceived walkability and physiological cost are distinct but interacting dimensions. This research advances perceived walkability assessment by establishing an integrated multi-method framework that synthesizes PPGIS, neurophysiological responses, and self-reported measures. The study demonstrates that while PPGIS offers scalable and reliable assessments of perceived walkability, EEG provides an independent physiological dimension that captures emotional-cognitive responses to environmental features, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of urban walking experiences.