Table 4.

Urban design theories and models related to the behavioral field.

Urban design theory	Brief description
Five elements of a city	Lynch’s (1960) cognitive mapping theory identifies five fundamental elements that structure urban mental images: paths (channels of movement), edges (boundaries), districts (recognizable areas), nodes (focal points), and landmarks (reference points). These elements collectively form the “imageability” of urban environments and influence wayfinding behavior.
Five measures of urban design	Ewing and Clemente (2013) provide standardized measurement protocols for five key qualities of urban design: imageability (memorability and distinctiveness), visual enclosure (spatial definition), human scale (comfortable proportions), transparency (visual connection between interior and exterior spaces), and complexity (visual richness). These measures enable objective assessment of urban design quality.
Theory of modern urban experience	Simmel’s (1903) sociological theory examines how urban environments shape psychological adaptation and social behavior. The theory describes how city dwellers develop protective mechanisms against overstimulation while maintaining capacity for meaningful urban engagement. It emphasizes the interplay between individual perception and collective urban experience.
Eyes on the street theory	Jacobs (1961) theory of natural surveillance argues that street safety emerges from continuous informal observation by residents and users. The concept emphasizes that mixed-use, high-density neighborhoods with diverse activities create optimal conditions for “natural owners” to monitor public spaces, thereby enhancing security through passive surveillance rather than formal control mechanisms.
Walkability index and walk score	Complementary measurement systems for pedestrian-friendly environments. The Walkability Index (WI) evaluates physical environmental features such as sidewalk connectivity, street design, and land use mix (Frank et al., 2010). Walk Score (WS) provides accessibility-based measures focusing on proximity to amenities and services (Walk Score Professional, 2011). Both metrics support evidence-based urban planning for sustainable transportation and public health outcomes.