title: Examining aspects of the built environment: an evaluation of a community walking map project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Interventions that address the built environment present an opportunity to affect behaviours such as physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a community walking map developed for eight neighbourhoods in the City of Edmonton (COE).
  
  
  METHODS
  A walking map developed in partnership with the COE's Walkable Initiative was distributed to 11,994 households across eight neighbourhoods in July 2010. In total, 149 respondents completed an online follow-up survey that assessed the effectiveness of the walking maps in influencing physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 149 respondents, 89 (59.7%) reported that they had received a copy of the map, and 60 (40.2%) reported that they had not. Of those who had a copy, 76.4% (n=68) indicated that the routes and destinations on the map encouraged them to walk more in the community, 64.0% (n=57) stated they would walk more often to get to destinations, and 55.1% (n=49) indicated they would walk more often for physical activity or exercise as a result of having a copy of the map. Finally, 91.0% (n=81) stated that they found the map to be useful, as it provided walking routes (60/81, 74.1%,) and places to go in the community (57/81, 70.4%). Of those who did not receive a copy, 95.0% (n=57) indicated that they would use a community walking map.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This evaluation demonstrated that a community walking map was a valuable tool for not only encouraging walking for physical activity but also motivating individuals to explore their communities and visit local community destinations.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. candace.nykiforuk@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Candace I J
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Nykiforuk
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nieuwendyk
authors.forename: Shaesta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitha
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hosler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D004779:Environment Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008377:Maps as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014504:Urban Health; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: built environment; health promotion; physical activity; urban health; walking