Residents' perceptions of walkability attributes in objectively different neighbourhoods: a pilot study.
Physical attributes of local environments may influence walking. We used a modified version of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale to compare residents' perceptions of the attributes of two neighbourhoods that differed on measures derived from Geographic Information System databases. Residents of the high-walkable neighbourhood rated relevant attributes of residential density, land-use mix (access and diversity) and street connectivity, consistently higher than did residents of the low-walkable neighbourhood. Traffic safety and safety from crime attributes did not differ. Perceived neighbourhood environment characteristics had moderate to high test-retest reliabilities. Neighbourhood environment attribute ratings may be used in population surveys and other studies.
Leslie
Eva
E
Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. e.leslie@sph.uq.edu.au
Saelens
Brian
B
Frank
Lawrence
L
Owen
Neville
N
Bauman
Adrian
A
Coffee
Neil
N
Hugo
Graeme
G
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011634:Public Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety; D013021:South Australia; D016138:Walking