title: Residents' perceptions of walkability attributes in objectively different neighbourhoods: a pilot study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. e.leslie@sph.uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saelens
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Neville
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coffee
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hugo
mesh_terms: 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