Perceptions Of Built Environment Research Articles

A Walkability Index including Pedestrians’ Perception of Built Environment: The Case Study of Milano Rogoredo Station

Active modes can play a key role in the transition toward sustainable urban mobility, and transport systems should be designed to support and incentivize them. For instance, walking accessibility to main urban centralities is a factor to pay attention to, as well as the way in which pedestrians perceive the characteristics of the infrastructure and the surrounding environment should also be considered. This study proposes a method for computing a walkability index of the paths for accessing transport nodes (e.g., railway station). The index is based on individuals’ perception of walkable infrastructure features (e.g., kerbside width, presence of urban furniture, greenery, etc.). It allows having a more realistic view of the catchment area of the node and to identify policies for improving pedestrian accessibility. The method has been validated using an ad-hoc survey in the area of the Milano Rogoredo railway station (Italy). The map of the estimated walkability indexes is consistent with the real conditions of the Milano Rogoredo neighbourhood and allows for identifying those areas where walkability can be improved.

Predicting perceptions of the built environment using GIS, satellite and street view image approaches

BackgroundHigh quality built environments are important for human health and wellbeing. Numerous studies have characterized built environment physical features and environmental exposures, but few have examined urban perceptions at geographic scales needed for population-based research. The degree to which urban perceptions are associated with different environmental features, and traditional environmental exposures such as air pollution or urban green space, is largely unknown. ObjectiveTo determine built environment factors associated with safety, lively and beauty perceptions across 56 cities. MethodsWe examined perceptions collected in the open source Place Pulse 2.0 dataset, which assigned safety, lively and beauty scores to street view images based on crowd-sourced labelling. We derived built environment measures for the locations of these images (110,000 locations across 56 global cities) using GIS and remote sensing datasets as well as street view imagery features (e.g. trees, cars) using deep learning image segmentation. Linear regression models were developed using Lasso penalized variable selection to predict perceptions based on visible (street level images) and GIS/remote sensing built environment variables. ResultsPopulation density, impervious surface area, major roads, traffic air pollution, tree cover and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed statistically significant differences between high and low safety, lively, and beauty perception locations. Visible street level features explained approximately 18% of the variation in safety, lively, and beauty perceptions, compared to 3–10% explained by GIS/remote sensing. Large differences in prediction were seen when modelling between city (R2 67–81%) versus within city (R2 11–13%) perceptions. Important predictor variables included visible accessibility features (e.g. streetlights, benches) and roads for safety, visible plants and buildings for lively, and visible green space and NDVI for beauty. ConclusionSubstantial within and between city differences in built environment perceptions exist, which visible street level features and GIS/remote sensing variables only partly explain. This offers a new research avenue to expand built environment measurement methods to include perceptions in addition to physical features.

Neighborhood built environment impacts park use of diverse, low-income mothers and their children

Built environment features, including parks, often exacerbate health disparities. We examined built environment perceptions and park use among a population at high risk for physical health outcomes: racially diverse, low-income mothers across the United States. Perceived safety from crime and living near a park were associated with more frequent park use for mothers and their children, and neighborhood walkability was linked to longer park visits. However, only 40% of mothers lived within a ten-minute walk from a park, and perceptions of walkability and safety from crime were low. To enhance physical activity and health of low-income mothers and their children, investments are needed to close disparities in park access and improve neighborhood safety.

Physical activity and healthy eating behavior changes among rural women: an exploratory mediation analysis of a randomized multilevel intervention trial.

Rural women experience disproportionately higher levels of obesity in comparison to their non-rural counterparts. The present exploratory mediation analysis sought to identify mechanisms that might have contributed to rural women's physical activity and diet changes after participating in a 6-month multilevel community-randomized trial: Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities (SHHC). SHHC was conducted in 16 rural towns in Montana and New York, between 2015 and 2016; 194 overweight, sedentary midlife, and older women (mean age 59; 26.8% overweight; 73.2% obese) participated. Participants in eight towns received the SHHC intervention (n = 101), which focused on healthy behavior change at the individual level as well as creating supportive social and built environments for physical activity and healthy eating. Participants in the other eight towns received an education-only control intervention (n = 93). We investigated the direct and indirect effects of the SHHC intervention through changes to self-efficacy, social support, and built environment perception, on changes in participants' physical activity and diet. Compared to the controls, SHHC intervention participants increased their social support from friends for physical activity (p = 0.009) and healthy eating (p = 0.032). Participants' improved social support from friends marginally mediated the intervention effects for walking metabolic equivalent minutes per week, explaining 40.5% of the total effect (indirect effect = +45.24, 95% CI: -1.51, +91.99; p = 0.059). Increasing social support from friends appears to be helpful in encouraging rural women to become more active. Further investigations are needed to better understand how multilevel interventions work in rural communities.

Mind the gap: Gender differences in walkability, transportation and physical activity in urban India

IntroductionInsufficient physical activity (PA) is a key contributor for premature mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the well-documented health benefits of PA, few women achieve the recommended levels of PA. The global average of inactivity among women is higher at 31.7% compared to 23.4% for inactive men. The gender gap in PA participation is wider in India where estimates indicate that 44% women are insufficiently active, compared to 25% men. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Chennai, India. Participants (N = 370) were recruited from 155 wards stratified by neighborhood walkability and socio-economic status. The adapted Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for India (NEWS-India) was used to assess built environment perceptions on density, land-use mix, street infrastructure, aesthetics, traffic and crime safety. Travel and leisure PA were recorded using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF). Study protocols were based on recommendations of the International Physical activity and the Environment Network (IPEN; www.ipenproject.org) and previously used in studies in Brazil, Colombia, and Nigeria. ResultsA greater number of women reported achieving weekly PA levels from travel-related activities (n = 54, 16.0%) compared to men (n = 33, 9.8%). In contrast, a higher percentage of men (n = 75, 22.3%) met weekly PA recommendations during leisure-time compared to women (n = 54, 16.1%). Street connectivity (aOR = 3.2, CI = 1.3, 8.0) and land-use mix access (aOR = 3.7, CI = 1.4, 8.2) significantly increased odds of travel PA among women. ConclusionsLow engagement in leisure PA among women can be linked to prevailing socio-cultural norms that constrain women's mobility and hinder their participation in PA. Aspects of gender equity in transportation planning are closely linked with citywide indicators of liveability, sustainability and resilience in LMICs like India. Public health practitioners must address gender-specific barriers to increase PA among women through context-specific group exercise programs, peer support and guidance that emphasize the importance of PA.

Ambiente construído e bem-estar subjetivo: análise das diferenças entre os usuários dos diferentes modos de transporte

O bem-estar subjetivo (subjective well-being) tem sido foco de crescente atenção na comunidade acadêmica nas últimas décadas, e especificamente na área de transportes (economia, ambiente urbano, mobilidade e acessibilidade). Os objetivos desse estudo são analisar a existência de diferenças na percepção do ambiente construído entre usuários de transporte ativo, transporte coletivo e transporte individual; e comparar o efeito do ambiente construído no bem-estar para os três grupos de usuários. Utilizando dados de uma pesquisa de atividade física na cidade de São Paulo - Brasil, modelos de equações estruturais multigrupo foram estimados. O estudo mostrou que o ambiente construído influencia o bem-estar dos indivíduos para os três grupos de usuários. Evidenciou a existência de diferenças na percepção do ambiente construído entre os grupos. Os resultados podem contribuir para debates acadêmicos e políticos sobre bem-estar, qualidade de vida e sustentabilidade urbana considerando a falta de investigações empíricas aprofundadas sobre este tópico.

Perceptions of the Built Environment and Support for Policies That Promote Physical Activity.

To assess how perceptions of the community built environment influence support for community policies that promote physical activity (PA). A national cross-sectional survey assessed perceptions of the local built environment and support of community policies, including school and workplace policies, promoting PA. A random digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted in US counties selected on Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for high or low prevalence of obesity and inactivity. A total of 1208 subjects were interviewed, 642 from high-prevalence counties and 566 from low-prevalence counties. Analyses were stratified by county prevalence of obesity and inactivity (high or low). Linear models adjusted for covariates were constructed to assess the influence of built environment perceptions on policy support. Perception of more destinations near the residence was associated with increased support for community policies that promote PA, including tax increases in low-prevalence (obesity and inactivity) counties (P < .01). Positive perception of the workplace environment was associated (P < .001) with increased support for workplace policies among those in high-, but not low-, prevalence counties. Support for community policies promoting PA varies by perception of the built environment, which has implications for policy change.

Do Not Forget About Public Transportation: Analysis of the Association of Active Transportation to School Among Washington, DC Area Children With Parental Perceived Built Environment Measures.

Although the active transportation (AT) indicator received an F grade on the 2016 US Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, this AT assessment excluded public transportation. An objective of the Built Environment and Active Play Study was to assess youth AT, including public transportation, among Washington, DC area children in relation to parental perceptions of neighborhood built environment (BE) variables. Questionnaires were mailed to 2000 parents of children aged 7-12 years. AT to school (ATS) was assessed with the question: "In an average school week, how many days does your child use each of the following ways to get to and from school? (a)Walk; (b) Bike; (c)Car; (d)Bus or Metro." Parental perceived BE data were obtained through questionnaire items, and logistic regression was conducted to determine if BE variables were associated with youth ATS. The sample included 144 children (50% female; average age 9.7 years; 56.3% white; 23.7% African American; 10.4% Asian American). Over 30% used ATS-public transportation 5 days per week, and nearly 13% used ATS-walking daily. Parental perceived BE variables significantly predicted youth ATS-walking and ATS-public transportation. ATS-public transportation is common among Washington, DC area youth, and parental perceptions of BE can significantly predict ATS.

The Influence of Family Dog Ownership and Parental Perceived Built Environment Measures on Children's Physical Activity within the Washington, DC Area.

Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are significant contributors to youth obesity in the United States. Neighborhood dog walking is an outlet for physical activity (PA). Therefore, understanding the relationship between built environment, dog ownership, and youth PA is essential. This study examined the influence of dog ownership and parental built environment perceptions on children’s PA in the Washington, D.C. area. In 2014, questionnaires were mailed to 2000 parents to assess family dog ownership; children’s outdoor dog walking or playing; and parental perceived built environment measures. Chi-square analyses examined differences in parental perceived built environment measures between children with and without family dogs. The sample included 144 children (50% female; average-age 9.7 years; 56.3% White; 23.7% African-American; 10.4% Asian-American; 29.9% owned dog). Only 13% and 5.6% of the children walked or played outdoors with the dog daily, respectively. A significantly greater proportion (p-value < 0.05) of parents who owned dogs recognized and observed some home built environment measures (e.g., traffic speed on most streets is 30 mph or less) that were PA -promoting for their children. Findings suggest that dog ownership may provide more positive parental perceptions of the neighborhood built environment, which supports children’s outdoor PA through dog walking and playing.

Differences in Physical Activity and Built Environment Perceptions between Younger and Older Adults Living in The Same Rural

&lt;p&gt;This study examined associations between perceptions and physical activity of younger and older adults residing in the same rural/small town community. Thirty-two adults completed interviews about their community and their physical activity. Both groups perceived their neighborhood as pleasant and safe to be active. Fewer older adults perceived their neighborhood as having sidewalks. Younger adults reported being more vigorously active and they were more often utilizing private membership clubs for physical activity. Older adults utilized more public recreational facilities. These results suggest that higher perceived quality of the neighborhood built environment can enhance participation in moderate exercise in older adults.&lt;/p&gt;

Differences in Physical Activity and Built Environment Perceptions between Younger and Older Adults Living in The Same Rural

&lt;p&gt;This study examined associations between perceptions and physical activity of younger and older adults residing in the same rural/small town community. Thirty-two adults completed interviews about their community and their physical activity. Both groups perceived their neighborhood as pleasant and safe to be active. Fewer older adults perceived their neighborhood as having sidewalks. Younger adults reported being more vigorously active and they were more often utilizing private membership clubs for physical activity. Older adults utilized more public recreational facilities. These results suggest that higher perceived quality of the neighborhood built environment can enhance participation in moderate exercise in older adults.&lt;/p&gt;

Parental perceived built environment measures and active play in Washington DC metropolitan children.

ObjectivePrevious research identified associations between perceived built environment and adult physical activity; however, fewer studies have explored associations in children. The Built Environment and Active Play (BEAP) Study examined relationships between children's active play and parental perceptions of home neighborhood built environments within the Washington, DC metropolitan area (DMV).MethodsWith this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was administered in 2014 to parents of children (7–12 years old) residing in the DMV. Data were collected on children's active play, home built environment parental perceptions, and demographics. Active play response data were dichotomized by whether the child did or did not meet the 60-min/day Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAGAs) recommendation. Perceived home neighborhood built environment data were also dichotomized. Chi-square tests determined differences in parental perceived built environment measures between active and non-active child groups. Logistic regression assessed the association of parental perceived built environment variables with active play while adjusting for demographic variables.ResultsThe BEAP Study population (n = 144) included a uniquely diverse population of children with 23.7% African Americans and 10.4% Asian Americans. A statistically significant greater proportion of active children's parents agreed with the importance of neighborhood esthetics, active play areas, walkability and safety as compared to the parents of non-active children. Fully adjusted logistic regression models demonstrated that some parental perceived built environment measures (e.g. access to play equipment) were predictors of their children meeting the 60-min/day PAGA recommendation.ConclusionOur findings support the important role of home neighborhood built environment perceptions on childhood active play.

How do metro stations integrate with walking environments? Results from walking access within three types of built environment in Beijing

China is in a period of rapid metro system development. However, there are few empirical evaluations of the complex interactions between the local built environment and metro ridership in the Chinese context. In this study, we collected empirical data on the influence of local environmental characteristics on walking access in Beijing. Walking behaviors and built environment perceptions among commuters (N=495) were collected at six metro stations in three distinctly different physical settings in Beijing—two in hutong, two in danwei, and two in xiaoqu. Participants recorded walking routes from the metro stations until they arrived at their destinations. Evaluations of the built environment were collected using a questionnaire after the participants arrived. Geographic information system was used to map walking routes and code built environment variables. Walking behavior outcomes were measured as walked time from metro exit to participant's destination. ANOVA compared differences between perceived and measured built environment characteristics and walking behaviors among selected neighborhoods. Multiple regression was used to test for associations between the built environment and metro station routes. We found that mean walking time from the metro station to a destination was 8min. Recreational and office destinations had similar walking times to the metro station as residential destinations. Metro riders in xiaoqu and danwei walked longer distances to their destinations compared to metro riders in hutong. Physical obstacles to crossing streets made walking times longer. Greater connectivity, both perceived and measured, predicted shorter walking times. Local land use is not well integrated into metro station placement in Beijing. Better connectivity, pedestrian-friendly designs and higher building coverage ratio around the metro station might promote easier walking access and have the potential to capture more metro riders.

Association between walking time and perception of built environment among urban adults in Hangzhou

To explore the association between walking time and the perception of built environment among local adults in Hangzhou. Through multistage stratified random sampling, a total of 1 440 urban residents aged 25-59 years were surveyed in Hangzhou by face-to face interview in 2012. The international physical activity questionnaire-long version (IPAQ-L) was used to assess the physical activity levels, including walking time in the past week. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated (NEWS-A) was used to obtain information about their perception of built environment. Multiple logistic regression was applied to estimate the relationship between waking and the perception of built environment. Among the local adults in Hangzhou, the median of total physical activity was 2 766 met·min⁻¹·week⁻¹, the average walking time per week was 90 min for leisure and 100 min for transportation respectively. After controlling the age, marital status, BMI, educational level, employment, community type and the total PA scores, the leisure-time walking was negatively related to the accessibility to stores, facilities and other things for both man (OR=0.764, 95% CI: 0.588-0.992) and woman (OR=0.633, 95% CI: 0.481-0.833). In sex specific analysis, the leisure-time walking was negatively related with the residential density (OR=0.997, 95% CI: 0.996-0.999) while transportation related walking was positively related with walking/cycling way scores (OR=1.537, 95% CI: 1.138-2.075) in females. In contrast, there were no significant associations between perception of built environment and transportation related walking in males. Improving the built environment, such as the walking/cycling way, might be useful to increase the transportation related walking time for adults. The sex specific differences need to be considered in the environment intervention for walking promotion.

Physical activity and active transport are predicted by adolescents’ different built environment perceptions

Recent studies suggest that increasing rates of obesity and other chronic health conditions may be linked to characteristics of the built environment that reduce opportunities for daily activity. The aim of this study is to analyze the associations between the perceptions of the built environment with physical activity (PA) and active transport in adolescents. Participants were 538 adolescents (288 girls) aged 16.56 ± 1.27 years old, from Porto, Portugal. Physical activity (PA) and perceptions of environmental characteristics were assessed by self-report questionnaires in 2009. Logistic regression analyses showed a significant association between boys (OR 4.85, 95% CI: 1.149–10.94) and girl’s (OR 2.63, 1.55–4.40) PA and the presence of sports equipment at home. “Interesting things to look at while walking” was also associated with higher levels of PA, but only in boys (OR 3.54, 1.149–10.94). In girls, active transport was predicted by the perception of safety to walk or jog (OR 3.88, 1.36–11.07) and streets well lit at night (OR 2.93, 1.44–5.96). Our study identified several associations of active behaviors with the physical environment that may contribute to the development of environmental interventions and policies regarding the community design and health promotion.

PROJETAR APARTAMENTOS COM VISTAS À QUALIDADE ARQUITETÔNICA A PARTIR DOS RESULTADOS DA AVALIAÇÃO PÓS-OCUPAÇÃO (APO)

This article aims to discuss the spatial quality of apartment buildings from results obtained by post-occupation evaluation (POE). It Searches to propose a set of POE methods and techniques with functional approach, destined to apartment buildings, made from homogeneous parameters in order to provide a replicable method. The set of methods and techniques used in this research seeks to understand the relationship between user´s behavior and design idealized by various real estate agents. For the purpose, we used multiple quantitative and qualitative nature methods, with emphasis on focus groups and the incorporation of researcher opinion in the ratings. The research starts from an analysis of apartment buildings production from 2000. Selects the production for middle class in São Paulo, which by its size is became a reference model for real estate market in other regions of country. Thus, as explained in the article, was chosen Ribeirao Preto city in order to develop and implement POE in three case studies. The results by POE implementation in the case studies attest how little the dwellers needs are filled, in that it revealed a fairly diverse range of family groups living in repeated and tripartite models Several overlapping of activities were identified in analyzed rooms in buildings that are designed in the traditional way, based on tightness, subdivision and monofunctional. Conclusively it points to need for greater and more effective connection between research and practice through databases fed by POEs. These should include techniques of built environment perception and interaction between environment and users behavior. So, is expected to feed future projects with information on ways of living, contemplating the real dwellers needs.

Delhi rent control act

China is in a period of rapid metro system development. However, there are few empirical evaluations of the complex interactions between the local built environment and metro ridership in the Chinese context. In this study, we collected empirical data on the influence of local environmental characteristics on walking access in Beijing. Walking behaviors and built environment perceptions among commuters (N = 495) were collected at six metro stations in three distinctly different physical settings in Beijing—two in hutong, two in danwei, and two in xiaoqu. Participants recorded walking routes from the metro stations until they arrived at their destinations. Evaluations of the built environment were collected using a questionnaire after the participants arrived. Geographic information system was used to map walking routes and code built environment variables. Walking behavior outcomes were measured as walked time from metro exit to participant's destination. ANOVA compared differences between perceived and measured built environment characteristics and walking behaviors among selected neighborhoods. Multiple regression was used to test for associations between the built environment and metro station routes. We found that mean walking time from the metro station to a destination was 8 min. Recreational and office destinations had similar walking times to the metro station as residential destinations. Metro riders in xiaoqu and danwei walked longer distances to their destinations compared to metro riders in hutong. Physical obstacles to crossing streets made walking times longer. Greater connectivity, both perceived and measured, predicted shorter walking times. Local land use is not well integrated into metro station placement in Beijing. Better connectivity, pedestrian-friendly designs and higher building coverage ratio around the metro station might promote easier walking access and have the potential to capture more metro riders.

The Architect: Chapters in the History of the Profession, the Visual Perception of Built Environment, Dimensions: Space, shape and scale in architecture

The Architect: Chapters in the History of the Profession, the Visual Perception of Built Environment, Dimensions: Space, shape and scale in architecture