Walkability and Greenness Do Not Walk Together: Investigating Associations between Greenness and Walkability in a Large Metropolitan City Context

Background: The existing environment literature separately emphasizes the importance of neighborhood walkability and greenness in enhancing health and wellbeing. Thus, a desirable neighborhood should ideally be green and walkable at the same time. Yet, limited research exists on the prevalence of such “sweet spot” neighborhoods. We sought to investigate this question in the context of a large metropolitan city (i.e., Sydney) in Australia. Methods: Using suburb level normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), percentage urban greenspace, Walk Score® (Walk Score, Seattle, WA, USA), and other data, we explored the global and local relationships of neighborhood-level greenness, urban green space (percent park area) with walkability applying both non-spatial and spatial modeling. Results: We found an overall negative relationship between walkability and greenness (measured as NDVI). Most neighborhoods (represented by suburbs) in Sydney are either walkable or green, but not both. Sweet spot neighborhoods that did exist were green but only somewhat walkable. In addition, many neighborhoods were both less green and somewhat walkable. Moreover, we observed a significant positive relationship between percentage park area and walkability. These results indicate walkability and greenness have inverse and, at best, mixed associations in the Sydney metropolitan area. Conclusions: Our analysis indicates an overall negative relationship between greenness and walkability, with significant local variability. With ongoing efforts towards greening Sydney and improving walkability, more neighborhoods may eventually be transformed into becoming greener and more walkable.

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Assessing the indoor thermal comfort of a toll station

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201928202031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 282 ◽

pp. 02031

Author(s):

Ricardo M.S.F. Almeida ◽

Eva Barreira ◽

Sandra Soares ◽

Ramos Nuno M.M. ◽

Sérgio Lopes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Comfort ◽

Indoor Environment ◽

Thermal Sensation ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Indoor Environmental Quality ◽

Thermal Perception ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Local Thermal Comfort ◽

Toll Station ◽

Global And Local

The importance of a good indoor environment for peoples’ health and wellbeing is nowadays clearly established. Besides enhancing the wellbeing of building occupants and helping decrease the occurrence of building related illness, a good indoor environment can also lead to a decrease in worker complaints and absenteeism. This paper presents the results of a three-month monitoring campaign where the thermal comfort of a toll station was evaluated, including the main room and the cabins. The physical parameters required for the assessment of both global and local thermal comfort were measured and the results were compared with the thermal perception of the occupants, which was collected through questionnaires. The indoor environmental quality in the main room was better than in the cabins and a mismatch between the PMV index and the occupants thermal sensation was identified.

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Neighborhood Walkability as a Predictor of Incident Hypertension in a National Cohort Study

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.611895 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Alana C. Jones ◽

Ninad S. Chaudhary ◽

Amit Patki ◽

Virginia J. Howard ◽

George Howard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Racial Differences ◽

Geographic Region ◽

Incident Hypertension ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Black And White ◽

Walk Score ◽

Walkable Neighborhood ◽

National Cohort ◽

Regards Study

The built environment (BE) has been associated with health outcomes in prior studies. Few have investigated the association between neighborhood walkability, a component of BE, and hypertension. We examined the association between neighborhood walkability and incident hypertension in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study. Walkability was measured using Street Smart Walk Score based on participants' residential information at baseline (collected between 2003 and 2007) and was dichotomized as more (score ≥70) and less (score <70) walkable. The primary outcome was incident hypertension defined at the second visit (collected between 2013 and 2017). We derived risk ratios (RR) using modified Poisson regression adjusting for age, race, sex, geographic region, income, alcohol use, smoking, exercise, BMI, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and baseline blood pressure (BP). We further stratified by race, age, and geographic region. Among 6,894 participants, 6.8% lived in more walkable areas and 38% (N = 2,515) had incident hypertension. In adjusted analysis, neighborhood walkability (Walk Score ≥70) was associated with a lower risk of incident hypertension (RR [95%CI]: 0.85[0.74, 0.98], P = 0.02), with similar but non-significant trends in race and age strata. In secondary analyses, living in a more walkable neighborhood was protective against being hypertensive at both study visits (OR [95%CI]: 0.70[0.59, 0.84], P < 0.001). Neighborhood walkability was associated with incident hypertension in the REGARDS cohort, with the relationship consistent across race groups. The results of this study suggest increased neighborhood walkability may be protective for high blood pressure in black and white adults from the general US population.

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Neighborhood walkability and risk of gestational diabetes

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care ◽

10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000938 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e000938

Author(s):

Simone Kew ◽

Chang Ye ◽

Sadia Mehmood ◽

Anthony J Hanley ◽

Mathew Sermer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Insulin Resistance ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Beta Cell ◽

Beta Cell Function ◽

Cell Function ◽

Maternal Risk ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Walk Score

ObjectiveHigher neighborhood walkability has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by promoting greater physical activity (thereby reducing weight and lowering insulin resistance). However, it is not known if walkability may similarly reduce maternal risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which arises in the setting of the severe physiologic insulin resistance of pregnancy. Indeed, the insulin resistance of pregnancy is primarily driven by placental hormones and not maternal weight gain. Thus, we sought to evaluate the impact of neighborhood walkability on maternal risk of GDM and the pathophysiologic determinants thereof (insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell function).MethodsIn this study, 1318 women reported their pregravid physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) while undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at mean 29.3 weeks’ gestation. The OGTT identified 290 women with GDM and enabled assessment of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function. Based on their residential Walk Score, the women were stratified into the following four established categories of neighborhood walkability: car dependent (n=328), somewhat walkable (n=315), very walkable (n=406), and walker’s paradise (n=269).ResultsThere was a progressive increase in pregravid total physical activity (p=0.002), non-sport leisure-time activity (p=0.009) and sport activity (p=0.01) across the walkability groups (from car dependent to somewhat walkable to very walkable to walker’s paradise), coupled with a concomitant decline in pre-pregnancy body mass index (p=0.007). However, in pregnancy, the groups did not differ in gestational weight gain (p=0.80). Moreover, the walkability groups also did not differ in mean adjusted insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, or glycemia on the antepartum OGTT. On logistic regression analysis, Walk Score did not predict GDM (OR=1.001, 95% CI 0.995 to 1.007).ConclusionNeighborhood walkability is not a significant determinant of maternal risk of GDM. Thus, in contrast to T2DM, the effect of neighborhood design on incidence of GDM will be comparatively modest.

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Ethnic Identity Buffers the Effect of Discrimination on Family, Life, and Health Satisfaction for Pacific Peoples in New Zealand

Pacific Health Dialog ◽

10.26635/phd.2021.113 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

pp. 390-398

Author(s):

Sam Manuela

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Identity ◽

New Zealand ◽

Family Life ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Family Satisfaction ◽

Ethnic Discrimination ◽

Ethnic Identities ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Health Satisfaction ◽

Health And Wellbeing

Introduction: The effect of discrimination on health and wellbeing varies. Mixed findings show that greater ethnic identity can make one more susceptible to the harmful effects of discrimination, or that ethnic identity can protect one against discrimination. This study tests how ethnic identity moderates the relationship between ethnic discrimination and a range of wellbeing measures for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods: Two independent studies, The Pacific Identity and Wellbeing Study (N = 752) and the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (N = 472), surveyed Pacific peoples in New Zealand across measures of ethnic identity, perceived discrimination, family satisfaction, life satisfaction, and health satisfaction. Findings: Moderated regression analyses for both studies showed a significant identity x discrimination interaction. Across all analyses, for those with lower ethnic identity scores, there was a significant negative relationship between discrimination and the health and wellbeing measures. For those with higher ethnic identity scores, there was no significant relationship between discrimination and wellbeing measures. Conclusions: These results suggest that higher scores of Pacific ethnic identity buffer the negative effects of discrimination on satisfaction with family, life, and health. These findings offer support for the protective properties of Pacific ethnic identities. As such, initiatives that seek to bolster Pacific ethnic identities and culture will support a multifaceted approach for enhancing Pacific health and psychological wellbeing.

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Characterization Methodology and Physical Compact Modeling of in-Wafer Global and Local Variability

2018 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) ◽

10.1109/iedm.2018.8614589 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Krishna Pradeep ◽

Thierry Poiroux ◽

Patrick Scheer ◽

Andre Juge ◽

Gilles Gouget ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Compact Modeling ◽

Global And Local ◽

Local Variability

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Active and Fit Communities. Associations between Neighborhood Walkability and Health-Related Fitness in Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17041131 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 1131

Author(s):

Gavin R. McCormack ◽

Levi Frehlich ◽

Anita Blackstaffe ◽

Tanvir C. Turin ◽

Patricia K. Doyle-Baker

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Built Environment ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Walk Score ◽

Health Related ◽

Neighborhood Built Environment ◽

Health Related Fitness ◽

Fitness Levels

There are many health benefits of regular physical activity and improving physical fitness levels can reduce the risk of chronic disease. Accumulating evidence suggests the neighborhood built environment is important for supporting physical activity; however, few studies have investigated the contribution of the neighborhood built environment to fitness levels. We examined the associations between objectively-determined and self-reported neighborhood walkability and overall and specific components of perceived health-related fitness (cardiorespiratory, muscular strength, and flexibility) in a random sample of 592 adults from two areas of Calgary (Canada). Participants provided complete data to an online questionnaire capturing perceived cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength (MST), flexibility, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), resistance training, and sociodemographic characteristics. The questionnaire also captured participant’s perceptions of their neighborhood’s walkability (Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale; PANES) and the physical activity supportiveness of neighborhood parks (Park Perceptions Index; PPI). Objectively-measured neighborhood walkability was estimated using Walk Score®. The average (SD) age of participants was 46.6 (14.8) years and 67.2% were female. Participants, on average, participated in at least 30-minutes of MVPA on 3.4 (2.1) days/week and undertook resistance training 2.0 (1.8) days/week. Adjusting for covariates, Walk Score® was not associated with any fitness outcomes. Adjusting for covariates, the PANES index was positively associated (p < 0.05) with CRF, MST, flexibility, and overall fitness and the PPI was positively associated (p < 0.05) with all fitness outcomes except MST. Our findings provide novel preliminary evidence suggesting the neighborhood built environment may be important for supporting higher health-related fitness levels in adults.

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Validation of Walk Score® for Estimating Neighborhood Walkability: An Analysis of Four US Metropolitan Areas

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph8114160 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 4160-4179 ◽

Cited By ~ 233

Author(s):

Dustin T. Duncan ◽

Jared Aldstadt ◽

John Whalen ◽

Steven J. Melly ◽

Steven L. Gortmaker

Keyword(s):

Metropolitan Areas ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Walk Score

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Determining If Walkability and Bikeability Indices Reflect Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198120931844 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2674 (9) ◽

pp. 767-775

Author(s):

Ahmed Osama ◽

Maria Albitar ◽

Tarek Sayed ◽

Alexander Bigazzi

Keyword(s):

Motor Vehicle ◽

Motor Vehicle Crashes ◽

Crash Risk ◽

Spatial Effects ◽

Perceived Safety ◽

Crash Data ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Walk Score ◽

Objective Risk ◽

The City

Walkability and bikeability indices are used to succinctly quantify how conducive an environment is to walking and cycling, often including factors related to comfort and perceived safety. The potential assumption that “walkable” and “bikeable” mean safe for walking and cycling (i.e., the association with objective safety or crash risk) has not yet been examined. This study investigates the association between two widely used measures (walk score and bike score) and pedestrian and cyclist crashes in Vancouver, Canada, to determine whether more walkable and bikeable areas of the city are also safer for walking and biking, after controlling for exposure. Multivariate Bayesian crash models with random and spatial effects are developed for pedestrian–motor-vehicle and cyclist–motor-vehicle crashes in 134 traffic analysis zones using 5 years of crash data with walking, cycling, and motor-vehicle traffic volume controls for exposure. Results indicate that areas of the city with higher walkability and bikeability can be potentially associated with greater pedestrian and cyclist crash risk, respectively, even after controlling for exposure. While the clear answer is that neighborhood walkability and bikeability does not indicate safety for pedestrians and cyclists, questions remain as to whether they should, and if so, how they could be modified to better incorporate objective risk.

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Do Walking-Friendly Built Environments Influence Frailty and Long-Term Care Insurance Service Needs?

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13105632 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 5632

Author(s):

Seigo Mitsutake ◽

Tatsuro Ishizaki ◽

Yuri Yokoyama ◽

Mariko Nishi ◽

Mohammad Javad Koohsari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Educational Status ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Service Needs ◽

Term Care ◽

Neighborhood Walkability ◽

Walk Score ◽

Long Term Care Insurance

Our study examined the associations between neighborhood walkability, frailty, and the incidence of long-term care insurance (LTCI) service needs using a prospective cohort survey in a suburban town in Japan. The final sample for analyses comprised 2867 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.0 years). Neighborhood walkability was measured using the Walk Score®. A total of 387 participants (13.5%) exhibited frailty. The odds of frailty, adjusted for the covariates (sex, age, educational status, marital status, residential status, employment status, subjective economic status) among participants who lived in somewhat walkable/very walkable areas, was 0.750 (95% Confidence Interval, CI: 0.597–0.943) versus those who lived in car-dependent areas. During the 23-month follow-up, 102 participants needed LTCI services (19.0 per 1000 person-years), 41 of whom (21.0 per 1000 person-years) lived in car-dependent areas, and 61 of whom (17.9 per 1000 person-years) lived in somewhat walkable/very walkable areas. As compared with participants who lived in car-dependent areas, the incidence of LTCI service needs was not significantly lower than that of those who lived in somewhat walkable/very walkable areas. Walk Score® can provide the critical information for the strategies to improve walkability and prevent older adults’ frailty in less walkable areas, contributing to achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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