title: The development of a walkability index: application to the Neighborhood Quality of Life Study.
abstract: Emerging evidence supports a link between neighbourhood built environment and physical activity. Systematic methodologies for characterising neighbourhood built environment are needed that take advantage of available population information such as census-level demographics. Based on transportation and urban planning literatures, an integrated index for operationalising walkability using parcel-level information is proposed. Validity of the walkability index is examined through travel surveys among areas examined in the Neighborhood Quality of Life Study (NQLS), a study investigating built environment correlates of adults' physical activity.
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia, 231-1933 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z2. ldfrank@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sallis
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Saelens
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leary
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004779:Environment Design; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014504:Urban Health; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*