Urban Resilience Assessment on Walkability Infrastructure & Social Lingerability at Bueng Thung Sang Health Garden in Khon Kaen

Witchayangkoon, Bhattraradej Boonsap; Samsey, Alif; Arab, Yasser; Hassan, Ahmad Sanusi

:: International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies

http://TuEngr.com

ISSN 2228-9860
eISSN 1906-9642
CODEN: ITJEA8

FEATURE PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE

Vol.17(3) (2026)

Urban Resilience Assessment on Walkability Infrastructure & Social Lingerability at Bueng Thung Sang Health Garden in Khon Kaen

Bhattraradej B. Witchayangkoon, Alif Samsey (Department of Civil Engineering, Thammasat School of Engineering, Thammasat University, THAILAND),
Yasser Arab (Department of Architectural Engineering, Dhofar University, SULTANATE of OMAN), and
Ahmad Sanusi Hassan (School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, MALAYSIA).

Discipline: Multidisciplinary (Urban Design, Infrastructure Management).
➤ FullText

doi: 10.14456/ITJEMAST.2026.18

Keywords: Public green space; Physical recreation; Community health; Social equity; Public Parks; Walkability; Lingerability; Khon Kaen; Urban Design; Secondary cities; Microclimate comfort; Active transportation; Built Environment; Urban livability; Sociopetality.

Abstract
Southeast Asia urban hubs are rapidly modernizing. Public parks are becoming more important for benefits to health and community strength. Urban studies often focus on how people move on foot, but a complete assessment should consider both active transit capability and the quality of social spaces. This research looks at how walkability relates to social and environmental lingerability at the Bueng Thung Sang Health Garden in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The aim is to explore how physical design and tropical climates affect active exercise and social interactions. Using a mixed method, the 2.5km lakeside loop was divided into four zones. Walkability was quantitatively assessed with a detailed pedestrian audit checklist and foot traffic counts. Lingerability was qualitatively evaluated through behavioral mapping, analysis of seatings, and interviews. The results show an inverse relationship between walkability and lingerability. The western area had the highest walkability score and the most foot traffic due to well-defined lanes for pedestrians and cyclists and a thick tree cover. However, it had the shortest dwell times because there were no seating options. In contrast, the eastern culinary area had the lowest walkability score due to worn pavement but had the highest lingerability. This is due to local food stalls, sunset viewing spots, and grouped seating arrangements. Interviews showed most of users appreciated the vehicle-free loop, halve of older adults shortened their walks because of no resting areas and public restrooms. Bueng Thung Sang is very effective area for active transit, but fails to distribute lingering equally. To make public green spaces for aging residents, municipal planners must look more than exercise paths. Sustainable urban parks in tropical climates must integrate high-flow walking routes with small resting spots, natural shade buffers, and culturally relevant social spaces.
Paper ID: 17A3D

Cite this article:

Witchayangkoon, B., Samsey, A., Arab, Y., and Hassan, A.S. (2026). Urban Resilience Assessment on Walkability Infrastructure & Social Lingerability at Bueng Thung Sang Health Garden in Khon Kaen. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 17(3), 17A3D, 1-14. http://doi.org/10.14456/ITJEMAST.2026.18

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