Determining thresholds for spatial urban design and transport features that support walking to create healthy and sustainable cities: findings from the IPEN Adult study
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: An essential characteristic of a healthy and sustainable city is a physically active population. Effective policies for healthy and sustainable cities require evidence-informed quantitative targets. We aimed to identify the minimum thresholds for urban design and transport features associated with two physical activity criteria: at least 80% probability of engaging in any walking for transport and WHO's target of at least 15% relative reduction in insufficient physical activity through walking. The International Physical Activity and the Environment Network Adult (known as IPEN) study (N=11 615; 14 cities across ten countries) provided data on local urban design and transport features linked to walking. Associations of these features with the probability of engaging in any walking for transport and sufficient physical activity (≥150 min/week) by walking were estimated, and thresholds associated with the physical activity criteria were determined. Curvilinear associations of population, street intersection, and public transport densities with walking were found. Neighbourhoods exceeding around 5700 people per km 2 , 100 intersections per km 2 , and 25 public transport stops per km 2 were associated with meeting one or both physical activity criteria. Shorter distances to the nearest park were associated with more physical activity. We use the results to suggest specific target values for each feature as benchmarks for progression towards creating healthy and sustainable cities.
Source: The Lancet Global Health
Authors: Ester Cerin, James F Sallis, Deborah Salvo, Erica Hinckson, Terry L Conway, Neville Owen, Delfien van Dyck, Melanie Lowe, Carl Higgs, Anne Vernez Moudon, Marc A Adams, Kelli L Cain, Lars Breum Christiansen, Rachel Davey, Jan Dygrýn, Lawrence D Frank, Rodrigo Reis, Olga L Sarmiento, Deepti Adlakha, Geoff Boeing, Shiqin Liu, Billie Giles-Corti
Institutions: Australian Catholic University, University of Hong Kong, University of California San Diego, Washington University in St. Louis, Auckland University of Technology, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Ghent University, The University of Melbourne, RMIT University, University of Washington, Arizona State University, University of Southern Denmark, University of Canberra, Palacký University Olomouc, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Universidad de Los Andes, North Carolina State University, University of Southern California, Northeastern University, The University of Western Australia
Language: English
Subfield: Transportation
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,500
Funders: ADC Foundation, Washington University in St. Louis, Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (COLCIENCIAS), Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, Northeastern University, Department for the Economy, Australian Catholic University, Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, State Government of Victoria, Syddansk Universitet, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research, Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, Health Research Council of New Zealand, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cancer Institute, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
OpenAlex ID: W4280596464