Urban form and older residents' service use, walking, driving, quality of life, and neighborhood satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the relationship between pedestrian-friendly urban form as reflected in new urbanism design guidelines, and neighborhood service use, walking, driving, quality of life, and neighborhood satisfaction among older women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey compared residents of census tracts similar indemographic characteristics but differing in urban form.


METHODS
The setting was urban and suburban areas of Portland, Oregon.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 372 females living alone over age 70 in six census tracts; 133 (36%) completed surveys.


METHODS
The New Urbanism Index rated the physical features of respondents' neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Resident Survey assessed travel modes and neighborhood satisfaction. The Quality of Life Index measured resident well-being. The Dartmouth COOP Functional Health Charts measured health status. Group comparisons were made with t-tests and regression analysis.


RESULTS
Although limited by the cross-sectional design, the study showed that new urbanism partially explained several differences in service use and activity: distance to a grocery store (r2 change = .11, p = .001), number of services used within 1 mile from home (r2 change = .06, p = .007), number of walking activities (r2 change = .08, p = .001), number of services accessed by walking (r2 change = .14, p = .000), and number of services accessed by driving (r2 change = .05, p = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Traditional urban neighborhoods with mixed services and good pedestrian access were associated with increased walking among older residents.
Schools of Nursing and Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA. patricia.k.patterson@comcast.net
Patricia K
PK
Patterson
Nancy J
NJ
Chapman
D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009922:Oregon; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D013383:Suburban Population; D014505:Urban Population; D016138:Walking