‘Cul-de-sacs make you fat’: homebuyer and land developer perceptions of neighbourhood walkability, bikeability, livability, vibrancy, and health

Abstract

ABSTRACT Academics use ‘walkability’, ‘healthy’, ‘bikeability’, ‘vibrancy’, and ‘livability’ to describe neighbourhood design that support health and wellbeing. These labels are communicated in the media and real estate and land development marketing materials, yet residents may not use these labels when describing their neighbourhoods. Our qualitative study explored recent homebuyers’ and residential land developers’ perceptions of these neighbourhood design labels. Twelve land developers (7 men; 5 women) and twelve homebuyers (7 men; 5 women) from three major cities (Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge) in Alberta, Canada, completed semi-structured telephone-interviews. Interview transcripts underwent content analysis. Land developers and homebuyers shared common perspectives of these labels, which had similarities with academic definitions. Participants described walkability as: (a) ease of movement, (b) contextual differences, and (c) connections; healthy as: (a) opportunities for activity, and (b) diversity; bikeability as: (a) supportive infrastructure, and (b) differing preferences; vibrancy as: (a) matches peoples’ values, and (b) supportive built features; and livability as: (a) all encompassing, and (b) safe and friendly. The features described were not mutually exclusive to any one-neighbourhood label. Our findings suggest that walkable and bikeable neighbourhoods are not necessarily vibrant or livable, nevertheless walkability, bikeability, vibrancy, and livability are qualities of a healthy neighbourhood.