scholarly journals Understanding walkable areas: applicability and analysis of a walkability index in a Brazilian city

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Cristina Nishikawa Motomura ◽  
Larissa Casaril da Fontoura ◽  
Milena Kanashiro
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Housing Projects ◽  
Floor Area Ratio ◽  
Walkability Index ◽  
Environment Variables ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
Intersection Density

Abstract Considering the growing of chronic non-communicable diseases worldwide, many studies have pointed out the role of the built environment as a support for walking. These studies are being applied in metropolitan and county regions or in specific areas of larger citiesof developed countries. Nevertheless, there is noevidences of the application of the walkability index in an entire Brazilian city. The main objective of this study is to understand walkable areas in a Brazilian medium sized city such as Cambé - PR, based on the walkability variables defined by Frank et al. (2010). The index systematizes four built environment variables: net residential density, retail floor area ratio, intersection density and land use mix. The results show that higher walkability areas are located in downtown and in three areas in the outskirts of Cambé, which were formerly designed to attend social housing projects. The transformations of land use mix and the urban layout characteristics of these areas improved the walkability level. This paper contributes to enlighten the characteristics of walkable areas and highlights a different outcome when considering a city of a developing country such as Brazil.

scholarly journals Research on the Difference Between Recreational Walking and Transport Walking Among the Elderly in Mega Cities With Different Density Zones: The Case of Guangzhou City

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zang ◽  
Hualong Qiu ◽  
Fei Xian ◽  
Xiang Zhou ◽  
Shifa Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Older People ◽  
Street Connectivity ◽  
Guangzhou City ◽  
Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
Recreational Walking ◽  
Intersection Density

Walking is the easiest method of physical activity for older people, and current research has demonstrated that the built environment is differently associated with recreational and transport walking. This study modelled the environmental characteristics of three different building density zones in Guangzhou city at low, medium, and high densities, and examined the differences in walking among older people in the three zones. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to investigate the recreational and transport walking time of older people aged 65 years and above for the past week, for a total of three density zones (N = 597) and was analysed as a dependent variable. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to identify 300, 500, 800, and 1,000 m buffers and to assess differences between recreational and transport walking in terms of the built environment [e.g., land-use mix, street connectivity, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data]. The data were processed and validated using the SPSS software to calculate Pearson's correlation models and stepwise regression models between recreation and transit walking and the built environment. The results found that land use mix and NDVI were positively correlated with transport walking in low-density areas and that transport walking was negatively correlated with roadway mediated centrality (BtE) and Point-of-Interest (PoI) density. Moreover, recreational walking in medium density areas was negatively correlated with self-rated health, road intersection density, and PoI density while positively correlated with educational attainment, population density, land use mix, street connectivity, PoIs density, and NDVI. Transport walking was negatively correlated with land-use mix, number of road crossings while positively correlated with commercial PoI density. Street connectivity, road intersection density, DNVI, and recreational walking in high-density areas showed negative correlations. Moreover, the built environment of older people in Guangzhou differed between recreational and transport walking at different densities. The richness of PoIs has different effects on different types of walking.

scholarly journals Do Neighborhoods with Highly Diverse Built Environment Exhibit Different Socio-Economic Profiles as Well? Evidence from Shanghai

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7544
Author(s):  
George Grekousis ◽  
Zhoulin Pan ◽  
Ye Liu
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Environment Variables ◽  
The Social ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
High Level ◽  
Social Landscapes ◽  
Neighborhood Level

The link between the built environment and residential segregation has long been of interest to the discussion for sustainable and socially resilient cities. However, direct assessments on how extensively diverse built environments affect the social landscapes of cities at the neighborhood level are rare. Here, we investigate whether neighborhoods with a diverse built environment also exhibit different socio-economic profiles. Through a geodemographic approach, we scrutinize the socio-economic composition of Shanghai’s neighborhoods. We statistically compare the top 10% (very high values) to the bottom 10% (very low values) of the following built environment variables: density, land use mix, land use balance, and greenness. We show that high-density areas have three times the percentage of divorced residents than low-density areas. Neighborhoods with a high level of greenness have median values of 30% more residents aged between 25–44 years old and five times the percentage of houses between 60 to 119 m2 than low-greenness areas. In high land-use mix areas, the share of people that live on a pension is 30% more than the low land-use mix areas. The findings of this study can be used to improve the designs of modern, sustainable cities at the neighborhood level, significantly improving quality of life.

Disablism, Planning, and the Built Environment

1993 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
R F Imrie ◽  
P E Wells
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The Political ◽  
Disabled People ◽  
The Uk

In the last decade access for disabled people to public buildings has become an important part of the political agenda. Yet, one of the main forms of discrimination which still persists against disabled people is an inaccessible built environment. In particular, statutory authorities have been slow to acknowledge the mobility and access needs of disabled people, and the legislative base to back up local authority policies remains largely ineffectual and weak. In this paper, the interrelationships between disability and the built environment are considered by focusing on the role of the UK land-use planning system in securing access provision for disabled people.

scholarly journals Is the perceived neighborhood built environment associated with domain-specific physical activity in Latin American adults? An eight-country observational study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerson Ferrari ◽  
◽  
André Oliveira Werneck ◽  
Danilo Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Irina Kovalskys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Shopping Centers ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
Neighborhood Built Environment ◽  
Latin American Countries

Abstract Background Characteristics of the neighborhood built environment are associated with physical activity (PA). However, few studies with representative samples have examined environmental correlates of domain-specific PA in Latin America. We examined the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with domain-specific PA in a large sample of adults from eight Latin American countries. Methods This study examined data from 8185 adults (aged 18–65 years) from eight Latin American countries. The Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Survey - Abbreviated (NEWS-A) scale was used to assess perceptions of land use mix–diversity, land use mix-access, street connectivity, walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, safety from traffic, and safety from crime. Perceived proximity from home to public open spaces (metropolitan parks, playgrounds, public squares) and to shopping centers was also measured. Transport-related and leisure-time PA were assessed using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Both logistic and linear regression models were estimated on pooled data. Results Perceptions of higher land use mix-access (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.22,1.61), the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.12; 1.04,1.20), slow speed of traffic (1.19; 1.03,1.35) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.09; 1.03,1.15) were associated with greater odds of reporting at least 10 min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher levels of land use mix-diversity, better aesthetics and greater safety from crime, the presence of crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and greater proximity of shopping centers were associated with more min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity (1.12; 1.05,1.20), higher land use mix-access (1.27; 1.13,1.43), more walking/cycling facilities (1.18; 1.09,1.28), and better aesthetics (1.10; 1.02,1.18) were associated with greater odds of engaging in at least 10 min/week of leisure-time PA versus none. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity were associated with more min/week of leisure PA. Conclusions Different perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with domain-specific PA among adults from Latin America countries. Interventions designed to modify perceptions of the neighbourhood built environment might influence initiation or maintenance of domain-specific PA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials. Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

scholarly journals Determinant Factors of Pedestrian Volume in Different Land-Use Zones: Combining Space Syntax Metrics with GIS-Based Built-Environment Measures

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8647
Author(s):  
Sugie Lee ◽  
Chisun Yoo ◽  
Kyung Wook Seo
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Space Syntax ◽  
Global Integration ◽  
Street Design ◽  
Determinant Factors ◽  
Environment Variables ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Local Integration ◽  
Global And Local

This study combined space syntax metrics and geographic information systems (GIS)-based built-environment measures to analyze pedestrian volume in different land-use zones, as recorded in unique public data from a pedestrian volume survey of 10,000 locations in Seoul, Korea. The results indicate that most of the built-environment variables, such as density, land use, accessibility, and street design measures, showed statistically significant associations with pedestrian volume. Among the syntactic variables, global integration showed a statistically significant association with the average pedestrian volume in residential and commercial zones. In contrast, local integration turned out to be an important factor in the commercial zone. Therefore, this study concludes that the syntactic variables of global and local integration, as well as some built-environment variables, should be considered as determinant factors of pedestrian volume, though the effects of those variables varied by land-use zone. Therefore, planning and public policies should use tailored approaches to promote urban vitality through pedestrian volume in accordance with each land-use zone’s characteristics.

The Neighborhood Built Environment and Cognitive Function of Older Persons: Results from the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tze Pin Ng ◽  
Ma Shwe Zin Nyunt ◽  
Faysal Kabir Shuvo ◽  
Jia Yen Eng ◽  
Keng Bee Yap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
Ageing Study ◽  
Neighborhood Built Environment

Background: We investigated the association of subjective (perceived) and objective (geographical information system [GIS]-based) measures of the neighborhood built environment (BE) attributes with cognitive function among older persons, and the mediating effect of transportation physical activity (TPA) and leisure time (physical, social and productive) activities (LTA). Method: A cross-sectional study of 402 residents aged 55 years and above in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study. Perceived neighborhood BE attributes (residential density, street connectivity, land use mix - diversity, land use mix - access, infrastructure for walking or cycling, aesthetics, traffic safety, and crime safety) and objective GIS measures of walkability and accessibility were related to participants' cognitive global and domain-specific performance measured by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neurocognitive Status (RBANS). Results: Controlling for age, sex, education, race, chronic medical illnesses, self-rated health, Geriatric Depression Scale depression score, POMA measures of balance and gait, and other BE attributes, the subjective measure of land use mix-diversity (standardized coefficient β = 0.161, p = 0.008) and GIS measure of walkability (β = 0.163, p = 0.002) were positively and significantly associated with RBANS global z-score, and immediate and delayed memory recall, visuospatial/ constructional ability and language, except attention. In hierarchical modeling, TPA and LTA attenuated the effect estimates, but the associations remained significant. Conclusion: BE features which increase opportunities and easy access to a diversity of destinations for services and facilities that promote physical, social and cognitively stimulating activities is associated with better cognitive functioning in older people.

scholarly journals Association between Perceived Built Environment and Prevalent Hypertension among South African Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasmore Malambo ◽  
Andre P. Kengne ◽  
Estelle V. Lambert ◽  
Anniza De Villers ◽  
Thandi Puoane
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
South African ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Logistic Regressions

Introduction. The association between perceived built environmental attributes and hypertension among adults has received little attention in an African context. We investigated the association between the perceived built environment and prevalent hypertension in adult South Africans. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 2008-2009 Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology data among South African (n=671) adults aged ≥35 years. Perceived built environment was assessed using the neighborhood environment walkability scale questionnaire. Prevalent hypertension was defined as previously diagnosed by a physician, screen-detected hypertension as ≥140/90 mmHg, and a combination of both as any hypertension. Logistic regressions were applied for analyses. Results. In crude logistic regressions, self-reported hypertension was associated with land use mix-diversity, street connectivity, infrastructure for walking/cycling, aesthetics, traffic, and crime. In adjusted model, land use mix-diversity was significantly associated with self-reported hypertension. In similar multivariable models, the direction and magnitude of the effects were mostly similar to the outcomes of “screen-detected hypertension” which was further predicted by perceived lack of safety from traffic. Conclusion. Perceived built environment attributes were significantly associated with hypertension. This has relevance to population-based approaches to hypertension prevention and control.

scholarly journals Active Transport to School and School Neighbourhood Built Environment across Urbanisation Settings in Otago, New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 9013
Author(s):  
Mohammad Lutfur Rahman ◽  
Tessa Pocock ◽  
Antoni Moore ◽  
Sandra Mandic
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Active Transport ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
School Level ◽  
Residential Density ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
Walkability Index ◽  
Intersection Density

The school neighbourhood built environment (BE) can facilitate active transport to school (ATS) in adolescents. Most previous studies examining ATS were conducted in large urban centres and focused on BE of home neighbourhoods. This study examined correlations between school-level ATS rates among adolescents, objectively measured school neighbourhood BE features, and adolescents’ perceptions of the school route across different urbanisation settings. Adolescents (n = 1260; 15.2 ± 1.4 years; 43.6% male) were recruited from 23 high schools located in large, medium, and small urban areas, and rural settings in Otago, New Zealand. Adolescents completed an online survey. School neighbourhood BE features were analysed using Geographic Information Systems. School neighbourhood intersection density, residential density and walkability index were higher in large urban areas compared to other urbanisation settings. School-level ATS rates (mean 38.1%; range: 27.8%–43.9%) were negatively correlated with school neighbourhood intersection density (r = −0.58), residential density (r = −0.60), and walkability index (r = −0.64; all p < 0.01). School-level ATS rates were also negatively associated with adolescents’ perceived safety concerns for walking (r = −0.76) and cycling (r = −0.78) to school, high traffic volume (r = −0.82), and presence of dangerous intersections (r = −0.75; all p < 0.01). Future initiatives to encourage ATS should focus on school neighbourhood BE features and minimise adolescents’ traffic safety related concerns.

scholarly journals Associations of Neighborhood Walkability with Sedentary Time in Nigerian Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adewale L. Oyeyemi ◽  
Sanda M. Kolo ◽  
Adamu A. Rufai ◽  
Adetoyeje Y. Oyeyemi ◽  
Babatunji A. Omotara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Neighborhood Walkability ◽  
Walkability Index ◽  
Environmental Attributes ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Previous studies have investigated the potential role of neighborhood walkability in reducing sedentary behavior. However, the majority of this research has been conducted in adults and Western developed countries. The purpose of the present study was to examine associations of neighborhood environmental attributes with sedentary time among older adults in Nigeria. Data from 353 randomly-selected community-dwelling older adults (60 years and above) in Maiduguri, Nigeria were analyzed. Perceived attributes of neighborhood environments and self-reported sedentary time were assessed using Nigerian-validated and reliable measures. Outcomes were weekly minutes of total sedentary time, minutes of sitting on a typical weekday, and minutes of sitting on a typical weekend day. In multivariate regression analyses, higher walkability index, proximity to destinations, access to services, traffic safety, and safety from crime were associated with less total sedentary time and sedentary time on both a weekday and a weekend day. Moderation analysis showed that only in men was higher walking infrastructure and safety found to be associated with less sedentary time, and higher street connectivity was associated with more sedentary time. The findings suggest that improving neighborhood walkability may be a mechanism for reducing sedentary time among older adults in Nigeria.

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