Citation

Rachele JN, Learnihan V, Badland HM, Mavoa S, Turrell G, Giles-Corti B. J. Phys. Act. Health 2018; 15(1): 13-21.

Affiliation

Healthy Liveable Cities Group, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/jpah.2016-0693

PMID

28771069

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is growing urgency for higher quality evidence to inform policy. This study developed geographic information systems (GIS) spatial measures based on land use and transport policies currently used in selected Australian states to assess which, if any, of these measures were associated with walking for transport.

METHODS: Overall, 6,901 participants from 570 neighbourhoods in Brisbane, Australia were included. Participants reported their minutes of walking for transport in the previous week. After a review of state-level land use and transport policies relevant to walking for transport across Australia, seven GIS measures were developed and tested based on nine relevant policies. Data were analysed using multilevel multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS: Greater levels of walking for transport were associated with more highly connected street networks, the presence of public transport stops and having at least two public transport services per hour. Conversely, neighbourhoods with shorter cul-de-sac lengths had lower levels of walking for transport. There was no evidence of associations between walking for transport and street block lengths less than 240m, or traffic volumes.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for urban design and transport policies developed by governments to be assessed for their impact on transport-related physical activity.

Language: en