Walking has always been one of the basic transportation techniques in the world. In
the middle of the second half of the 20th century, automatic methods were
developed, especially private cars. A state of excessive dependence on mechanical
transportation has been advanced. More recently, the idea of revitalizing walking as
one of the urban mobility ways has begun to increase. Both research and practice
work is currently looking for ways of urban rehabilitation to encourage people to go
walking and cycling. Indeed walkability is essential in implementing sustainable urban
planning; it helps to connect the community while providing alternatives to
automotive transport. Walkability has been studied on various levels, various places,
and with regards to concepts and factors. Thus this paper aims to study walkability
through answering four questions: what, why, how and where? In other words, what
is walkability? Why is it beneficial? How could it be implemented in terms of
rehabilitation of urban areas? And where is it used? Considering a presented case
study in in San Francisco, U.S.A, and another one in Sheikh Zayed, Egypt. The study
investigates some key principles that may help improve walkability in communities.
The results stress the implementation of seven key principles that guarantee the
success of walking and its positive impacts in urban areas.