Urban walkability project

SHORE and Whariki are carrying out a collaborative study of physical activity in urban neighbourhoods with colleagues at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. 

The goal is to understand how neighbourhood built environment variables might predict residents’ levels of physical activity – both in terms of leisure activities and active transport (such as walking and bicycling). The study is taking place in 48 neighbourhoods in Waitakere, North Shore, Wellington and Christchurch.

SHORE researcher Suzanne Mavoa is using geographic information systems to incorporate measures of the built environment (street connectivity, dwelling density, land use mix) to calculate walkability measures for the study neighbourhoods. AUT colleagues are measuring physical activity and body size of participants in the same neighbourhoods using accelerometers and self report measures of physical activity.

Walkability Indices for North Shore, Waitakere, and Christchurch cities.

In another component of the study a photovoice methodology is being used to understand what makes some areas more conducive to walking (or cycling) than others and the barriers to walking for people of different age groups. Cameras have been given to people in various age groups from children (8-12 years) to older adults. Talking in groups about the photos taken identifies the environmental characteristics that people of different ages associate with cycle-friendly and walking-friendly environments. Residents in communities in West Auckland (Ranui, Massey and Kaurilands), the North Shore (Devonport, Beach Haven and Albany) have been involved.

“We are particularly interested in the kinds of streetscapes 8-12 year-olds find pleasant and safe to be in – and the features which contribute to parents being restrictive about their children walking or cycling,” says researcher Karen Witten.

Hector Kaiwai is one of researchers working on the photovoice component of the study. 

“It is really interesting working with both parents and kids – they view the world in very different ways,” he says. 

Kaiwai gives the example of reactions to a large pipe in one area: “While the children saw it as fun to play on, their parents often saw it as a real safety issue; they were worried their children could get hurt.”

These observations have contributed to the adaption of a streetscape observational measure of the aesthetic and physical quality of the street environment – the footpaths, lighting, street furniture, amount of litter –measures of which are also being made in the study neighbourhoods. 
The project brings together the diverse skills of the collaborative partners and will provide valuable understandings of neighbourhood determinants of physical activity.

      
Participant comment: paths leading into
dingy enclosed places can be threatening

Researchers: Karen Witten, Suzanne Mavoa, Hector Kaiwai, Victoria Jensen, Helen Moewaka Barnes

Duration: September 2007 to June 2010

Funder: Health Research Council via Auckland University of Technology

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