TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the influence of neighborhood walkability on the frequency of use of greenspace
AU - Zuniga-Teran, Adriana A.
AU - Stoker, Philip
AU - Gimblett, Randy H.
AU - Orr, Barron J
AU - Marsh, Stuart
AU - Guertin, David P.
AU - Chalfoun, Nader V
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was funded by CONACYT (Mexican government), The Wilderness Society, and through the University of Arizona, we received funding from graduate teaching assistantships, graduate research assistantships, and several grants and scholarships. We are very grateful to the International Water Security Network funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation , a charitable foundation helping to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement, and the application of research. We also received support from the Inter American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) CRN3056 , which is supported by the National Science Foundation [ GEO-1128040 ].
Funding Information:
This work was funded by CONACYT (Mexican government), The Wilderness Society, and through the University of Arizona, we received funding from graduate teaching assistantships, graduate research assistantships, and several grants and scholarships. We are very grateful to the International Water Security Network funded by the Lloyd's Register Foundation, a charitable foundation helping to protect life and property by supporting engineering-related education, public engagement, and the application of research. We also received support from the Inter American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) CRN3056, which is supported by the National Science Foundation [GEO-1128040].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2019/10
Y1 - 2019/10
N2 - The use of greenspace has been linked to multiple wellbeing benefits, however there are many factors that influence whether or not residents visit greenspace. In this study, we explore the factors that influence the frequency of greenspace visitation, with a focus on perceptions of walkability, travel mode, and proximity to greenspace. We use a questionnaire to capture perceptions and behaviors of residents (N = 309) and greenspace users (N = 103) in Tucson, Arizona. We estimated binary logistic regression models to identify predictors of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly visits to greenspace. Results suggest that perceptions of walkability, along with mode of travel, and proximity to greenspace are associated with the frequency of use of greenspace. Walkability elements that were found to influence the probability of greenspace visitation include perceptions of traffic safety (pedestrian and biking infrastructure), surveillance (the extent to which people inside buildings can see pedestrians on the street), and community (spaces that allow social interaction). This study provides empirical evidence to support policies that will improve walkability in neighborhoods so that public health goals of increasing physical activity and wellbeing are achieved.
AB - The use of greenspace has been linked to multiple wellbeing benefits, however there are many factors that influence whether or not residents visit greenspace. In this study, we explore the factors that influence the frequency of greenspace visitation, with a focus on perceptions of walkability, travel mode, and proximity to greenspace. We use a questionnaire to capture perceptions and behaviors of residents (N = 309) and greenspace users (N = 103) in Tucson, Arizona. We estimated binary logistic regression models to identify predictors of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly visits to greenspace. Results suggest that perceptions of walkability, along with mode of travel, and proximity to greenspace are associated with the frequency of use of greenspace. Walkability elements that were found to influence the probability of greenspace visitation include perceptions of traffic safety (pedestrian and biking infrastructure), surveillance (the extent to which people inside buildings can see pedestrians on the street), and community (spaces that allow social interaction). This study provides empirical evidence to support policies that will improve walkability in neighborhoods so that public health goals of increasing physical activity and wellbeing are achieved.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068802901&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85068802901&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103609
DO - 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103609
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85068802901
SN - 0169-2046
VL - 190
JO - Landscape and Urban Planning
JF - Landscape and Urban Planning
M1 - 103609
ER -