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Citation |
Badland H, Mavoa S, Boulange C, Eagleson S, Gunn L, Stewart J, David S, Giles-Corti B. J. Transp. Health 2017; 5: 151-162. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
A vast body of research demonstrates that living in "more walkable" neighborhoods is associated with increased walking, and in turn, positively impacts selected health behaviors and outcomes. Yet, walkable neighborhoods are not always delivered. The aims of this study were to identify Australian urban planning policies designed to foster walkability, and to test measures based on these policies with transport walking behaviors in adults. Overall, 14 Australian state level urban planning policies related to walking were identified. Spatial measures were developed based on these urban planning policies, and linked with geocoded population survey data. Associations between the urban planning spatial measures and neighborhood transport walking behaviors were tested in a sample of urban adults (n=16,890). The odds of transport walking were significantly higher for those living in "more walkable" (compared with less walkable) neighborhoods; i.e. with more connected street networks, higher residential densities, more destinations available, and shorter block sizes and distances to activity centers. The findings showed that all 14 policies implemented in GIS were independently associated with walking in the residential neighborhood. The associations observed tended to be stronger than previously shown, especially in regard to the dwelling density and daily destination measures. The findings support the calls for more research using policy-relevant measures in order to better inform urban planning guidance, and suggests that if current spatially derived urban policies were implemented, it may increase transport walking. This research has the potential to contribute to building consensus for urban planning policies related to walking. Language: en |
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Keywords |
Australia; Behavior; Quality of life; Walking; City planning; Neighborhoods; Policy making; Residential areas |