Citation

Hooper P, Knuiman M, Foster S, Giles-Corti B. Health Place 2015; 36: 173-183.

Affiliation

McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: b.giles-corti@unimelb.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.10.005

PMID

26606456

Abstract

Planning policy makers are requesting clearer guidance on the key design features required to build neighbourhoods that promote active living. Using a backwards stepwise elimination procedure (logistic regression with generalised estimating equations adjusting for demographic characteristics, self-selection factors, stage of construction and scale of development) this study identified specific design features (n=16) from an operational planning policy ("Liveable Neighbourhoods") that showed the strongest associations with walking behaviours (measured using the Neighbourhood Physical Activity Questionnaire). The interacting effects of design features on walking behaviours were also investigated. The urban design features identified were grouped into the "building blocks of a Liveable Neighbourhood", reflecting the scale, importance and sequencing of the design and implementation phases required to create walkable, pedestrian friendly developments.

Language: en