Active Streets, Active People Developing a partnership between health researchers and engineers to enhance the health and mobility of older adults

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Active Streets, Active People Developing a partnership between health researchers and engineers to enhance the health and mobility of older adults Investing in our

1 Active Streets, Active People Developing a partnership between health researchers and engineers to enhance the health and mobility of older adults Investing in our Transportation Evolution QUAD May 2, Presenter: Meghan Winters Suzanne Therrien Joanie Sims-Gould Callista Haggis Heather McKay Centre for Hip Health and Mobility

2 Source: Statistics Canada

3 What Makes our Cities Good Places to Grow Old? - Can we get around? - Can we access the destinations we need? - Do we have opportunities for social interactions? aging in place, and aging well

4 Built Environment Macroscale, or neighbourhood level Land use, transportation systems, road networks Microscale, or street level Street design, including benches, trees, sidewalks, curbs, crossings

5 Social Environment Social relationships and the cultural surroundings where defined groups of people function and interact

6 The connection between built environment & health: Which street would you rather walk down?

A Natural Experiment: The Comox Greenway

Beautify the street and provide places to

7 A Natural Experiment: The Comox Greenway Important east-west connection through Downtown Vancouver; False Creek to Stanley Park Connect parks, schools, community centres, and retail areas Improve pedestrian and cyclist safety Beautify the street and provide places to sit, rest and socialize Create vibrant hubs for social activity

8 An opportunity to study older adults in an ideal setting Aims to understand how changes to the built environment impact the mobility and health of community-dwelling older adults of Downtown Vancouver. Comox Greenway Development

Research City Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 Consultation Construction Partnership building, community engagement,

collection Data analysis Postconstruction data collection 2012 (T1) Street audit Social interaction Travel

9 Research City Year Consultation Construction Partnership building, community engagement, knowledge translation and sharing of evidence and solutions Partners in Consultation Preconstruction data collection Data analysis Postconstruction data collection 2012 (T1) Street audit Social interaction Travel behaviour Physical activity Interviews 2014 (T2) Street audit Social interaction Travel behaviour Physical activity Interviews

Benches are essential. Street furniture was important for getting around, and for place-making.

10 Consultation Older adults perceptions of the proposed Greenway The proposed Greenway is not a destination but it could be. Currently, it did not have amenities they desired to use. Benches are essential. Street furniture was important for getting around, and for place-making. Sidewalks must be wide with smooth curb ramps. Many of the older adults used a mobility aid and many are visually impaired.

11 $5.4 Million Approved by Council Construction Winter 2013 Phase 1

2012 2014 Total participants (N=) 193 155 Age (average) 70 years 72 years Males : females 35% : 65% 36% : 64% Mobility aid (%) 11.9% 11.

12 Total participants (N=) Age (average) 70 years 72 years Males : females 35% : 65% 36% : 64% Mobility aid (%) 11.9% 11.6% Living alone 62% 59% Vehicle at disposal 69% 72% Average time in neighbourhood 15.4 years 17.4 years Self-reported health (0-100) Pre-construction data collection (2012) Social interaction 1 time/week 1 time/week Meeting PA Guidelines 36.8% 41.5%

13 Pre & Postconstruction data collection Survey Results: Neighbourhood Perceptions The proposed Greenway is not a destination but it could be. On the whole, do you think that the Comox Greenway changes are... There are facilities to bicycle in or near my neighbourhood, such as special use lanes, separate paths or trails, or shared use paths for cycles and pedestrians. 86% 100% not aware of changes 10% negative 27% positive 45% There are sidewalks on most of the streets in my neighbourhood. Sidewalks are separated from the road/traffic in my neighbourhood by parked cars. 96% 98% 94% 97% neutral 18% The distance between intersections in my neighbourhood is usually short. 73% 92% The speed of cyclists on most nearby streets is usually slow 52% 58% T1- Strongly Agree/Agree T2-Strongly Agree/Agree 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

14 Street Audit Results

Street furniture was important for getting around, and for place-making New seating at Nelson Park with armrests

15 Average number per block Pre & Postconstruction data collection Street Audit Results: Benches Benches on Comox Benches are essential. Street furniture was important for getting around, and for place-making New seating at Nelson Park with armrests Average number of benches per block before and after Comox-Helmcken Greenway development Back support on stools in seating area on Comox St Before (2012) After (2014)

Measured minimum sidewalk width on segment before and after greenway

16 % of segments with feature Pre & Postconstruction data collection Street Audit Results: Sidewalks Sidewalks must be wide with smooth curb ramps. Measured minimum sidewalk width on segment before and after greenway development 100% 80% 60% 40% 43% Before (2012) After (2014) 20% 21% 0% Before (2012) After (2014)

17 Accelerometry Results: Physical Activity The combined step average for all participants in 2014 was steps a day Recommended Guideline for older adults: 7,000-10,000 step a day The combined average of minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity for all participants in 2014 was minutes a week National Physical Activity Guideline: 150 minutes moderate-to-vigorous activity per week to maintain health. Time point Meets Guidelines (150+ min MVPA in bouts of 10+ min/ week) T1 (2012) 36.8% T2 (2014) 41.5% Mean (Average) for n=129 ASAP-Sr participants with >3 days of valid acceleromentry wear time

18 Walking & Cycling Measure T1 T2 Walks for transportation or recreation in a usual week 99% 99% Cycle for transportation or recreation in a usual week 30% 22% 100% 80% Walk in a usual week 99% 99% 100% 80% Cycle in a usual week 60% 60% 40% 20% 40% 20% 30% 22% 0% T1 (2012) T2 (2014) 0% T1 (2012) T2 (2014) walks both inside and outside neighbourhood walks inside neighbourhood only cycles both inside and outside neighbourhood cycles inside neighbourhood only cycles outside neighbourhood only

19 GPS Sample Results

20 GPS Sample Results

21 Partnership between City Engineers and Health Researchers to study Natural Experiments

ASAP Participants ASAP Team Investigators: Dr.

Joanie Sims-Gould, UBC Dr. Atiya Mahmood, SFU Dr.

Project Coordinator Callista Haggis, MSFHR Knowledge

UBC Rachel Wong, BSc Student, UBC Caitlin Pugh, BSc

Bracewell, City of Vancouver Douglas Scott, City of

22 ASAP Participants ASAP Team Investigators: Dr. Heather McKay, UBC Dr. Meghan Winters, SFU Dr. Joanie Sims-Gould, UBC Dr. Atiya Mahmood, SFU Dr. Maureen Ashe, UBC Project Staff: Suzanne Therrien, Project Coordinator Callista Haggis, MSFHR Knowledge Broker Christine Voss, UBC Thea Franke, PhD Student, UBC Rachel Wong, BSc Student, UBC Caitlin Pugh, BSc Student, SFU City of Vancouver Partners: Dale Bracewell, City of Vancouver Douglas Scott, City of Vancouver Community Partners: West End Seniors Network Seniors Advisory Committee

ECONOMY PEOPLE ENVIRONMENT

Report Back on Local Transit Improvements May 29, 2013 ECONOMY PEOPLE ENVIRONMENT Intro Council Requested Report Back Topics Progress on Planning for Broadway Subway False Creek Bridges Local Transit Improvements