Association between built environment on transport and recreational walking in Japan: the case of Kitakyushu

Abstract

Walking is a popular form of transportation with a wide range of health, economic, environmental and social benefits. Previous studies have shown that walking is easily influenced by the surrounding built environment. In order to explore the relationship between objective built environment and perceived built environment factors in Japan and transport walking and recreational walking, this study selected Kitakyushu as a sample through questionnaire survey and geographic information data, and evaluated walking activity level through IPAQ and perceive the built environment through ANEWS, and then measured the objective measurement characteristics of the built environment through GIS. Multivariate linear regression model and multivariate logistic model were also used to evaluate the relationship between different built environment factors and pedestrian walking behavior in Japan. The results show that: (1) Age and residential period promoted transport walking. (2) Land mix use, dense bus stops, accessible commercial facilities, and a safe environment can all promote transport walking. (3) High building density and intersection density, more transit stops, more accessible commercial facilities and public service facilities can also promote recreational walking. (4) Having excellent walking facilities increased the time spent on leisure walks.