Walkability Interventions

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edu Sungmin Lee, MLA saint83@email.tamu.

1 Walkability Interventions America Walks Webinar Series August 3, 2016 Chanam Lee, PhD, MLA Sungmin Lee, MLA Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Center for Health Systems and Design, College of Architecture Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

2 Walkability Benefits Walkability Interventions Walkability Issues Walkability Discussions

3 Walking is easy and important, but why still many people do not walk enough?

Factors of Behavior Walkability from the behavioral model of environment (e.g.

4 Conceptualizing Walkability Walkability from the socio-ecological perspective (e.g. Bauman et al. 2002) Societal Community Relationship Individual The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Factors of Behavior Walkability from the behavioral model of environment (e.g. Lee and Moudon 2004) Origin-Destination Route Area The Behavioral Model of the Environment (Figure from Lee 2016)

5 Environmental Pathways* Main Effect Walkability Walking Mediating Effect Income Walkability Walking Moderating Effect Functioning Walkability Walking Walkability has been widely used to describe how much certain areas provide opportunities to walk (Leyden 2003). *Satariano WA., Ory MG., & Lee C. (2012). Planned and built environments in public health. Public health for an aging society,

Walkability Benefits Walkability has been shown to be associated with health outcomes, such as actual walking behavior,

Walkability is associated with lower prevalence of overweight and obesity, more walking and decreased incidence of

6 Walkability Benefits Walkability has been shown to be associated with health outcomes, such as actual walking behavior, body mass index (BMI), and quality of life (Sallis et al. 2009). Walkability is associated with lower prevalence of overweight and obesity, more walking and decreased incidence of diabetes (Frank et al. 2006; Kligerman et al. 2007, Booth et al. 2005, Saelens et al. 2003, Creatore et al. 2016). People who lived in the high walkable neighborhoods (e.g. high residential density, street connectivity, public transport density, and more number of parks), walked 68 to 89 minutes more per week than those in the low walkable neighborhoods (Sallis et al. 2016). lancasteronline.com/ communitybuilders.net

7 Walkability Benefits In addition to its established link with walking, physical activity and obesity, walkability has also been shown to offer other important benefits such as mental health, social capital, environmental and economic values. Greater neighborhood walkability was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in older men (Berke et al. 2007). Living in areas with walkable green spaces was positively associated with the longevity of urban senior citizens (Takano et al. 2002) Perceived walkability was shown to enhance neighborhood social interaction and sense of community (Jun and Misun, 2015); Walk Score values were positively associated with Community Currency activities (Kwon 2016). Walkable neighborhoods was positively associated with property values in more pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods; but negatively in automobile-oriented neighborhoods (Pivo and Fisher 2011). Walkable neighborhoods residents had lower transportation costs but higher housing costs (Leinberger and Alfonzo 2012).

8 Walkability Studies Correlational Study Built environmental correlates of walking Longitudinal Study Before and after relocating to a new neighborhood Before and after an environmental modification

9 Walkability Studies Built environmental correlates of walking Residential density Proximity to destinations (e.g. food, service, retails, recreation, etc.) Land use mix Street connectivity Sidewalk availability/quality Access to transit Access to parks, trails and other recreational amenities Crime safety, traffic and street-crossing safety Visual quality/aesthetics of neighborhood Slope/terrain And more!

10 Walkability Interventions BEFORE: Less Walkable Neighborhood Do people walk more when they move to a more walkable neighborhood? AFTER: More Walkable Neighborhood

11 Walkability Interventions In a post-move cross-sectional study, residents in a newly developed walkable community reported more walking, physical activity, and social interactions after the move (Zhu et al. 2014). In a post-move cross-sectional study, women who moved to a neighborhood with fewer cul-de-sacs walked more than they had before (Wells and Yang 2008). In a prospective study of Black women, those who relocated to a neighborhood with high density increased utilitarian and recreation walking (Coogan et al. 2009). In a longitudinal natural experiment, after relocation to a suburban fringe neighborhood with fewer local transport-related destinations but more public open spaces, residents transportrelated walking declined, while recreational walking increased (Giles-Corti et al. 2013).

12 Walkability Interventions The Boston Complete Streets initiative Is an environmental modification effective in promoting walking?

13 Walkability Interventions Walking, cycling, and other physical activity increased after installing greenway trails (Fitzhugh et al., 2010) and street lighting (Painter 1996). Improvements in sidewalks or traffic control around schools resulted in higher walk/bike rates among children traveling along the improved route (Boarnet et al. 2005). Park improvements led to increases in the first time park users (Cohen et al. 2009). A new light rail stop increased ridership, and the riders increased moderate physical activity (Brown and Werner 2007) Cyclist activity increased after installing cycling infrastructure (Brown and Werner 2007).

14 Walkability Issues General Population Characteristics e.g. Children, Adults, Older Adults Measurements of Walkability e.g. Perceived vs. Objective, Macro vs. Micro Scale Measures Variations in Outcome (e.g. walking, physical activity) e.g. Moderate vs. Vigorous PA, Utilitarian vs. Recreational Walking Specific/Special Characteristics of Target Populations e.g. Non-Walkers vs. Insufficient Walkers, High-Risk Groups, Special Populations Different Characteristics of Neighborhood Environment e.g. Urban vs. Rural, High vs. Low income Neighborhoods

15 Discussions Considerations for Walkability Interventions Built environmental (BE) interventions are different from other interventions in that they can influence a large number of people at a time, but the magnitude of impact on each individual may be relatively small and unequal. The effect of BE interventions may be more sustainable in the long run. BE interventions do not disappear, and tend to target lifestyle activities that are more habitual/sustainable. The cost, time, and feasibility (in addition to benefits and unexpected consequences) of BE interventions need to be considered carefully. Things like land use changes take a long time while infrastructure interventions such as crosswalks, bike lanes, lighting, and traffic calming devices, may be more feasible.

16 Discussions Considerations for Walkability Interventions Walkability is a multifaceted concept Consider diverse environmental pathways (direct and indirect roles of walkability). Consider the impact of various walkability features on walking for recreational and/or utilitarian purposes. Consider both the macro level (e.g. density, land use mix) and micro level (e.g. street conditions, infrastructure design) conditions. Consider both objective (e.g. audit, Walk Score, GIS) and perceived (e.g. survey, audit) walkability attributes. Consider different community settings (e.g. rural, semi-urban, urban, rural), and population characteristics (e.g. different income, age, and ethnic groups, current walking/activity levels, attitudes and preferences, household characteristics).

17 Discussions

18 Discussions Design communities that make it safe and easy for people of all ages and abilities to walk. Promote programs and policies to support walking where people live, learn, work and play. Provide information to encourage walking and improve walkability. www. SurgeonGeneral.gov From Step it Up (2015).

19 THANK YOU!

20 SELECTED REFERENCES Images [S-6] lancasteronline.com/ communitybuilders.net [S-10] Google Street View image [S-12] [S-17] Articles Bauman, A., Bellew, B., Vita, P., Brown, W., & Owen, N. (2002). Getting Australia active: towards better practice for the promotion of physical activity. Berke, E. M., Gottlieb, L. M., Moudon, A. V., & Larson, E. B. (2007). Protective association between neighborhood walkability and depression in older men. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55(4), Boarnet, M. G., Anderson, C. L., Day, K., McMillan, T., & Alfonzo, M. (2005). Evaluation of the California Safe Routes to School legislation: urban form changes and children s active transportation to school. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(2), Booth, K. M., Pinkston, M. M., & Poston, W. S. C. (2005). Obesity and the built environment. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 105(5), Brown, B. B., & Cropper, V. L. (2001). New urban and standard suburban subdivisions: Evaluating psychological and social goals. Journal of the American Planning Association, 67(4), Brown, B. B., & Werner, C. M. (2007). A new rail stop: tracking moderate physical activity bouts and ridership. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 33(4), Cohen, D. A., Golinelli, D., Williamson, S., Sehgal, A., Marsh, T., & McKenzie, T. L. (2009). Effects of park improvements on park use and physical activity: policy and programming implications. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 37(6), Coogan, P. F., White, L. F., Adler, T. J., Hathaway, K. M., Palmer, J. R., & Rosenberg, L. (2009). Prospective study of urban form and physical activity in the Black Women's Health Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 170(9), Creatore, M. I., Glazier, R. H., Moineddin, R., Fazli, G. S., Johns, A., Gozdyra, P.,... Manuel, D. G. (2016). Association of Neighborhood Walkability With Change in Overweight, Obesity, and Diabetes. JAMA, 315(20), Fitzhugh, E. C., Bassett, D. R., & Evans, M. F. (2010). Urban trails and physical activity: a natural experiment. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 39(3), Frank, L. D., Andresen, M. A., & Schmid, T. L. (2004). Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27(2), Frank, L. D., Sallis, J. F., Conway, T. L., Chapman, J. E., Saelens, B. E., & Bachman, W. (2006). Many pathways from land use to health: associations between neighborhood walkability and active transportation, body mass index, and air quality. Journal of the American Planning Association, 72(1), Gilderbloom, J. I., Riggs, W. W., & Meares, W. L. (2015). Does walkability matter? An examination of walkability s impact on housing values, foreclosures and crime. Cities, 42,

21 Giles-Corti, B., Bull, F., Knuiman, M., McCormack, G., Van Niel, K., Timperio, A.,... Middleton, N. (2013). The influence of urban design on neighbourhood walking following residential relocation: longitudinal results from the RESIDE study. Social Science and Medicine, 77, Jun, H.-J., & Hur, M. (2015). The relationship between walkability and neighborhood social environment: The importance of physical and perceived walkability. Applied Geography, 62, Kligerman, M., Sallis, J. F., Ryan, S., Frank, L. D., & Nader, P. R. (2007). Association of neighborhood design and recreation environment variables with physical activity and body mass index in adolescents. American Journal of Health Promotion, 21(4), Knudsen, B. B., & Clark, T. N. (2013). Walk and be moved: How walking builds social movements. Urban Affairs Review, Kwon, M. (2016). Sociospatial Relations: The Role of Neighborhood Walkability on Community Currency Activities. (Doctoral dissertation), Texas A&M University. Lee, C., & Moudon, A. V. (2004). Physical activity and environment research in the health field: implications for urban and transportation planning practice and research. Journal of planning literature, 19(2), Leinberger, C., & Alfonzo, M. (2012). Walk this way: The economic promise of walkable places in metropolitan Washington, DC. The Brookings Institution. Leyden, K. M. (2003). Social capital and the built environment: the importance of walkable neighborhoods. American Journal of Public Health, 93(9), Litman, T. (2003). Economic value of walkability. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board(1828), Macbeth, A. G. (1999). Bicycle lanes in Toronto. Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal, 69(4), 38. Painter, K. (1996). The influence of street lighting improvements on crime, fear and pedestrian street use, after dark. Landscape and urban planning, 35(2), Pivo, G., & Fisher, J. D. (2011). The walkability premium in commercial real estate investments. Real Estate Economics, 39(2), Saelens, B. E., Sallis, J. F., & Frank, L. D. (2003). Environmental correlates of walking and cycling: findings from the transportation, urban design, and planning literatures. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 25(2), Satariano WA., Ory MG., & Lee C. (2012). Planned and built environments in public health. Public health for an aging society, Sallis, J. F., Cerin, E., Conway, T. L., Adams, M. A., Frank, L. D., Pratt, M.,... Cain, K. L. (2016). Physical activity in relation to urban environments in 14 cities worldwide: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet, 387(10034), Sallis, J. F., & Glanz, K. (2009). Physical activity and food environments: solutions to the obesity epidemic. Milbank Quarterly, 87(1), Takano, T., Nakamura, K., & Watanabe, M. (2002). Urban residential environments and senior citizens longevity in megacity areas: the importance of walkable green spaces. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 56(12), Wells, N. M., & Yang, Y. (2008). Neighborhood design and walking: a quasi-experimental longitudinal study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 34(4), Zhu, X., Yu, C.-Y., Lee, C., Lu, Z., & Mann, G. (2014). A retrospective study on changes in residents' physical activities, social interactions, and neighborhood cohesion after moving to a walkable community. Preventive Medicine, 69, S93-S97.

Summary Report: Built Environment, Health and Obesity

Research and education Built Environment Edmonton Project Summary Report: Built Environment, Health and Obesity Introduction In 2007 the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Heart and Stroke