A methodology to understand how environments support health

Abstract

This paper presents a research methodology that takes an in-depth and qualitative approach to explore the role that the built environment plays in supporting health and well-being as part of everyday living. The focus is on how the built environment facilitates physical activity, social interaction, and access to fresh and nutritious foods – all important in reducing risk factors for chronic illness. The paper provides a detailed description of the research methodology currently being used in an Australian study of four diverse residential sites. The methods emphasise collecting in-depth and qualitative data. Initially, this was by way of a detailed instrument devised for the project – the healthy neighbourhood audit – which subsequently informed question schedules for interviews and focus groups. The paper concludes by illustrating how data collected using the audit enhances an in-depth understanding of the ways in which the built environment can support healthy activities in everyday life.