Urban environment comparisons between street connectivity and mobility preferences in Kota Bharu City Centre, Kelantan

Abstract

Urban environment design plays an important role in shaping drivers’ behaviour and route preferences when navigating urban areas during both peak and off-peak hours. Street connectivity involving multiple turns, indirect routes, or longer travel distances increases uncertainty regarding traffic conditions and travel times. Such spatial complexity often causes drivers to experience confusion, hesitation, or inefficient route selection, which indirectly contributes to undesirable driving behaviours. In contrast, well-connected street networks provide clearer route options and more direct access to destinations. This facilitates smoother traffic flow, improves mobility efficiency, and reduces stress among drivers in urban environments. This study investigates the relationship between street connectivity and urban mobility preferences in the city centre of Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The city centre was selected due to its rapid urbanisation, which has enhanced connectivity with surrounding districts and reinforced its cultural identity, thereby centralising local mobility. Data were collected through integration mapping and site observations in Kota Bharu. The data were analysed using space syntax techniques, including axial-line and HH-integration, to examine the relationship between street connectivity and drivers’ route preferences. The results indicate that Jalan Sultanah Zainab functions as the primary movement corridor in Kota Bharu, with the highest street connectivity (32) and integration value (2.0524). The high level of spatial integration attracts drivers from surrounding streets, making the corridor a preferred route to major destinations and key urban nodes, including heritage, cultural, tourism, and institutional areas. These findings highlight the strategic importance of street connectivity parameters in shaping urban mobility patterns and improving overall mobility experience. The study suggests that urban planning strategies should integrate connectivity-based design and pedestrian-oriented interventions to balance mobility efficiency with the preservation of Kota Bharu’s cultural landscape.