Abstract
This study examines how Windhoek’s urban form, shaped by apartheid-era planning,
continues to influence neighbourhood travel behaviour, socio-economic disparity, and
residential perceptions. It addresses three key questions: (1) How do socio-economic
characteristics, neighbourhood perceptions, and travel patterns differ between compact and
sprawled areas? (2) Which socio-economic, perceptual, and spatial factors are associated
with the likelihood of neighbourhood-based shopping in compact versus sprawled urban
forms? (3) What are the determinants of entertainment and recreational travel behaviour
within neighbourhoods across the two urban forms? Using survey data from 1000 residents,
the analysis employs chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, binary logistic regression,
and multivariate regression models. Findings reveal that compact areas, characterised by
higher incomes, stronger place attachment, and greater infrastructural diversity, support
more frequent neighbourhood travel. By contrast, sprawled peripheries, despite higher
population densities, remain marked by socio-economic marginalisation, limited amenity
access, and negative perceptions that constrain neighbourhood mobility. Across both
forms, long-term residence and belonging strongly predict neighbourhood travel, while
concerns over traffic safety and crime consistently suppress participation. The results
show that spatial proximity alone does not ensure accessibility; emotional, perceptual, and
structural barriers mediate neighbourhood mobility. The study highlights the need for
integrated planning that addresses both physical infrastructure and lived experience to
advance equitable and sustainable mobility in post-colonial contexts.