Application of Rasch Model in Constructing Walkability Indices for Urban Neighborhood Area

Abstract

Physical attributes for walkable urban neighborhood required summary of indices. The development of indices is based on the hierarchy of walking need theory which applies dimensions of accessibility, safety, comfort and pleasurability. The aim of this research is to construct indices of physical attributes by detecting differential item functioning (DIF) based on respondent’s demographic factors and their perceived environment. 7he ßndings using the Rasch model has dropped l6 items and maintains 20 items that reliable to gauge the 4 dimensions. This research could be used to obtain indices in a justly manner and become an indicator for walkable urban neighbourhood model.

Keywords: Walkability; urban neighbourhoods; physical environment attributes, Rasch measurement model

eISSN 2514-751X © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.