Abstract
BackgroundSupportive neighbourhood walking conditions are particularly important for older people as they age and who, as a group, prefer walking as a form of physical activity. Urban form and socio-economic status (SES) can influence neighbourhood walking behaviour. The objectives of this study were: a) to examine how urban form and neighbourhood SES inter-relate to affect the experiences of older people who walk in their neighbourhoods; b) to examine differences among neighbourhood stakeholder key informant perspectives on socio-political processes that shape the walkability of neighbourhood environments.MethodsAn embedded comparative case study examined differences among four Ottawa neighbourhoods that were purposefully selected to provide contrasts on urban form (inner-urban versus suburban) and SES (higher versus lower). Qualitative data collected from 75 older walkers and 19 neighbourhood key informants, as well as quantitative indicators were compared on the two axes of urban form and SES among the four neighbourhoods.Results and discussionExamining the inter-relationship of neighbourhood SES and urban form characteristics on older people's walking experiences indicated that urban form differences were accentuated positively in higher SES neighbourhoods and negatively in lower SES neighbourhoods. Older people in lower SES neighbourhoods were more affected by traffic hazards and more reliant on public transit compared to their higher SES counterparts. In higher SES neighbourhoods the disadvantages of traffic in the inner-urban neighbourhood and lack of commercial destinations in the suburban neighbourhood were partially offset by other factors including neighbourhood aesthetics. Key informant descriptions of the socio-political process highlighted how lower SES neighbourhoods may face greater challenges in creating walkable places. These differences pertained to the size of neighbourhood associations, relationships with political representatives, accessing information and salient neighbourhood association issues. Findings provide evidence of inequitable walking environments.ConclusionFuture research on walking must consider urban form-SES inter-relationships and further examine the equitable distribution of walking conditions as well as the socio-political processes driving these conditions. There is a need for municipal governments to monitor differences in walking conditions among higher and lower SES neighbourhoods, to be receptive to the needs of lower SES neighbourhood and to ensure that policy decisions are taken to address inequitable walking conditions.
Highlights
Supportive neighbourhood walking conditions are important for older people as they age and who, as a group, prefer walking as a form of physical activity
The current study aimed to examine how urban form and neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) may inter-relate to affect the experiences of older people who walk in their neighbourhoods
The compounding effects highlighted by this study suggest that there are advantages and disadvantages associated with urban form but that these differences are accentuated positively in higher SES neighbourhoods and negatively in lower SES neighbourhoods
Summary
Supportive neighbourhood walking conditions are important for older people as they age and who, as a group, prefer walking as a form of physical activity. Urban form and socio-economic status (SES) can influence neighbourhood walking behaviour. Supportive walking environments are important for older people, as walking is a preferred form of physical activity for a majority of this age group [6,7,8]. Urban form refers to the physical layout and design of neighbourhoods (e.g. dwelling density, land use and street patterns), while neighbourhood SES refers to the aggregated social and economic characteristics of the residents (e.g. average neighbourhood income, average level of education, percent of population living in poverty). Most of the literature on walkability (i.e. the extent to which environments invite and support walking) has tended to focus on either urban form or neighbourhood SES, with less consideration given to how they may inter-relate
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
