Recreation, demographics and equity
The walkability of an area is related to a combination of urban design and infrastructure. Placemaking, and the location of shops, services, and transport are foundational aspects of liveability which support local living and active behaviour such as walking.
Reasons for walking
Transport-walking trips
Whilst walking is associated with walkable areas, the amount of walking that people do is influenced by the purpose and by the built environment such as:
- access to shops and services
- employment and activity centres
- frequent easy-to-access public transport.
These are referred to as transport-walking trips or utilitarian-walking trips.
Recreational trips
Trips taken for recreational purposes where the main aim of walking is for exercise or pleasure, tend to be influenced by the aesthetic features of urban areas, such as greenery and trees, or the presence of recreational facilities.
Such trips relate to the presence of different features in urban areas and require careful planning to create high quality environments that accommodate varied motivations for walking.
Image by valeriygoncharukphoto via Envato Elements.
Walking inequality
There are other factors that influence the walkability of an area. A person’s sociodemographic characteristics influence their physical activity and walking behaviours. Research has found that physical activity and walking is influenced by:
- gender
- age
- occupation
- level of education.
For example, women are more sensitive to the urban environment and prefer safety, lighting and crime-free environments to walk around.
Less walkable areas
Not all urban areas are walkable, and people living in areas with lower walkability tend to walk less. Often poor-quality environments are more affordable attracting people with less money.
This can lead to a double disadvantage. People with less money living in low quality environments where it’s harder to access shops, services, transport and employment, can experience negative impacts on their health and wellbeing across their lifespan, further exacerbating their disadvantage. This is known as socio-spatial inequity and we’ll explore this in more detail in week two.
Image by peus80 via Envato Elements.
Further resources
If you would like to explore some of the concepts we have covered in more detail, the following resources are optional.
