Residential Neighborhoods Research Articles

Barriers to Meaningful Connectivity

Community networks risk failure when they attempt to emulate models from elsewhere without engaging the community in the process and making appropriate adaptations. These ‘build it and they will come’ models rarely work over the long term. This research project explored claims from residents of a low-income neighbourhood in the “North End” of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, that inadequate and unaffordable Internet connectivity limits their access to critical communication tools, resources, and information. Through the research, we identified the need for a sustainable model of affordable, accessible Internet connectivity that centers on building a cooperative-owned and operated community network with Indigenous and newcomer families at its heart. Findings revealed that high connectivity costs, limited digital literacy, and inadequate infrastructure are the primary barriers to meaningful connectivity in the community. The intent of the “North End Connect” research project was to work directly with the residents, to learn about their connectivity needs and wants, inform the project’s technical team as to how and where to build a solution that works for the community, removing explicit and implicit barriers to access. Through our research, we validated that digital connectivity is a problem in the community. Utilizing a CBPAR approach provided a more nuanced understanding of the barriers to access from the resident’s perspective and lived experience. This allowed for the development of a strengths-based roadmap that utilized existing assets to provide affordable, accessible, trustworthy, and secure Internet access to anyone who wants it. The research acted as the catalyst to motivate the community and led to ongoing interventions aimed at addressing each of the identified barriers. As we investigate these barriers, it becomes evident that addressing these issues is not just a matter of technological access but a crucial step toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. The project serves as a model for community-driven digital inclusion efforts and contributes to global conversations about equitable access to the internet.

Doing Community Amid Tension and Vulnerability: Involvement and Control in Older Adults’ Accounts of Their Neighbourhood

Rather than fixed entities, urban communities are in a constant process of making: They are practised in and through everyday relational settings and are therefore necessarily tension‐laden. Drawing from focus group interviews with older adults living in the third‐largest city in Finland, we aim to further the understanding of “doing community” amid tensions and vulnerability. We analyse older people’s accounts of their everyday dealings and doings in their neighbourhood with an emphasis on the intensities of involvement and control when relating with others. As a result, four types of relational settings are identified: being‐with others; cooperation with others; contesting and being contested by others; and ruling and being ruled by others. Through close reading of each type, we illustrate the variety in which older adults negotiate involvement and control. To conclude, we propose that, in addition to previously identified privacy and access, involvement and control are significant dimensions of the relational settings of belonging in an urban community. We suggest that focusing on involvement and control may particularly well illuminate the position of neighbourhood residents in vulnerable circumstances. Therefore, involvement and control offer a useful extension for analyses of doing community through everyday encounters and practices.

Quality of life: quantitative analysis in New Urbanism and LEED-ND certified neighbourhoods

Given the substantial rise in the urban population, it is imperative to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in residential communities. New Urbanism (NU) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) are globally recognised neighbourhood design initiatives that strive to improve QoL. Nevertheless, the degree to which these initiatives effectively enhance QoL remains questionable. This assessment seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of key design practices in these two initiatives by examining the satisfaction levels of residents. It focuses on five key attributes that contribute to enhancing the QoL in residential neighbourhoods: safety, comfort, connectivity, sense of place, and aesthetic appeal. Three neighbourhoods were selected for analysis in the USA. The residents’ questionnaire was utilised as the main tool for the quantitative analysis. The findings revealed a positive association between safety and comfort and overall QoL. NU neighbourhoods showed the highest satisfaction levels, while LEED-ND neighbourhoods had the lowest. Key determinants of QoL were identified as well. The main contribution of this study is to provide insights for enhancing the design parameters of NU and LEED-ND certification to improve QoL and bridge the gap between professionals’ perspectives and residents’ preferences.

Dream housing: Exploring effective factors on housing livability in the neighborhood from the perspective of residents

The purpose of this study is to develop a new concept of livability as "livable housing" in order to identify the factors that determine the subjective satisfaction of residents with the internal and surrounding environment of the housing and to estimate its level among urban neighborhoods with subjective and objective data. In order to fill the knowledge gap in livability studies, especially housing livability, the present study has looked at the link between livability and housing indicators and has evaluated this link among the residents of urban neighborhoods with different socio-economic contexts. This study has been evaluated the indicators of livable housing in an empirical analysis among the neighborhoods of Karaj metropolitan area (as a leading city) with the cluster sampling method and choosing 8 neighborhoods (as the scope of the research) as well as 402 cases (as a sample statistics derived from Cochran's formula).In this evaluation, the questionnaire with (72 sub-indicators in 15 groups) is the main criterion for data collection, and the analyzes are using statistical and spatial combined methods. The statistical analysis of the questionnaire includes preparing the data for weighting and determining the important and influential factors with the exploratory factor analysis method in the SPSS environment. The stratification of neighborhoods is done with the multi-criteria decision-making model (TODIM) by combining the raw data and the weight of indicators extracted from the EFA method. Also, the accuracy of the results has been measured with the RMS method and the use of spatial methods in (GIS).The results showed environmental, social, economic and physical macro-factors respectively have the greatest effects on the livability of housing. The indicators of facilities and infrastructures, open and public space, cleanliness and pollution were the indicators of increasing livability and satisfaction, and the indicators of place connection and belonging, access and transportation, personal and social security were the indicators of decreasing livability. In general, the neighborhoods are in different conditions of housing livability and without continuity and principles of regularity. This difference in the different effects of indicators in neighborhoods is due to the inherent differences of neighborhoods and people's mental filters. The (89%) overlap obtained from the validation of the results indicates the existence of a very insignificant difference and acceptable agreement of the results of the two methods of spatial-spatial analysis. Considering the importance of the relationship between man and the urban environment and the quality of human life, it is recommended to pay special attention to community-orientedness and local assets and a bottom-up approach in livability surveys at any scale. Also, this study suggests important policy implications for achieving urban sustainability by improving housing livability.

Contextual and socio-economic factors affected urban dwellers experiences of and vulnerability to ecosystem disservices

Peoples’ experiences of Ecosystem Disservices (EDS) are influenced by socio-economic and environmental characteristics, and this needs better understanding for informed planning and management of urban green infrastructure. The paper investigated the understudied area of how socio-economic and environmental factors influence people's experiences of EDS in urban green spaces, in four towns in South Africa. Employing a questionnaire survey, in 303 randomly selected households in three neighborhoods of different economic standing, alongside statistical analysis provided quantitative data on experiences and vulnerability to EDS. A list of reported EDS was compiled and the number of EDS/respondent was compared between towns, neighborhoods and places of experience, using Kruskal-Wallis test and nested ANOVAs. Respondents’ vulnerability to EDS was assessed by analyzing the magnitudes of experience and coping abilities. The influences of socio-economic and environmental characteristics on experiences of and vulnerability to EDS were assessed using PCAs. Twenty-three EDS were reported in total, with the highest numbers recorded in affluent areas and the lowest in the poorest areas. Irrespective of town and neighborhood, the reported EDS were mainly experienced in domestic gardens and surrounding streets. Consequently, only one EDS seems of high concern, while the others are of lower concern or well manageable by the respondents. Significant influences of socio-economic (education and income levels, source of income, upbringing, frequency of visits to green spaces (GS), length of residence in neighborhoods) and environmental (environmental worldview, garden ownership, membership to environmental NGO) characteristics were observed on the experiences and vulnerability to EDS. Therefore, such variations in and influences on peoples’ experiences and vulnerability to EDS should be considered for sustainable management of urban GS. Also, the creation of GS should be accompanied by actions to improve people relationships to nature as well as to ensure their maintenance and security, particularly public GS and commonages.

Human-derived food shrinks home ranges and alters resource selection of mammals at the urban-wild interface

Protected lands are an important source of food, shelter, and reproductive opportunities for wildlife, especially in urban landscapes. When urban development abuts the edges of undisturbed ecosystems, synanthropic species can alter their foraging behaviors and movement to utilize human-supplemented resources throughout the urban-wild interface. Therefore, urban development on the edges of protected lands can have pronounced effects on animal movement and ecosystem functions. Iconic urban adaptive mesopredators such as northern raccoons (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) often benefit from human-supplemented food sources such as unsecured garbage, pet food, and fresh water when available. To investigate how urban edges affect the movements of urban-adapted omnivores within conservation lands, we estimated home ranges and third-order resource selection of 27 raccoons and 12 opossums with GPS collars throughout the protected areas of northern Key Largo, FL, USA between April 2022–October 2023. The proportion of urban development in an individual's home range was the most influential factor associated with home range size, followed by species and sex. Individuals with greater proportions of residential neighborhoods and commercial areas in their home ranges exhibited smaller home ranges. Third-order resource selection functions identified both mesopredator species using residential and commercial land use areas more than they were available on the landscape. These results indicate that urban areas attract urban-adapted mesopredators from protected areas and result in smaller home ranges in the face of abundant human-derived food. Reduced home ranges on edges can support higher densities of animals, which may increase rates of disease transmission, especially when the urban borders support populations of feral domestic species. Shifting foraging behaviors from the protected areas to urban edges could have cascading downward effects if seed-dispersing roles are diluted. As urbanization increases and the distance between wild lands and human disturbance decreases, it is increasingly important to study the mechanisms of how urban development on the edges of protected areas affect the movement of wildlife.

Neighborhood Food Access in Early Life and Trajectories of Child Body Mass Index and Obesity

Limited access to healthy foods, resulting from residence in neighborhoods with low food access, is a public health concern. The contribution of this exposure in early life to child obesity remains uncertain. To examine associations of neighborhood food access during pregnancy or early childhood with child body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk. Data from cohorts participating in the US nationwide Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes consortium between January 1, 1994, and March 31, 2023, were used. Participant inclusion required a geocoded residential address in pregnancy (mean 32.4 gestational weeks) or early childhood (mean 4.3 years) and information on child BMI. Residence in low-income, low-food access neighborhoods, defined as low-income neighborhoods where the nearest supermarket is more than 0.5 miles for urban areas or more than 10 miles for rural areas. BMI z score, obesity (age- and sex-specific BMI ≥95th percentile), and severe obesity (age- and sex-specific BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile) from age 0 to 15 years. Of 28 359 children (55 cohorts; 14 657 [51.7%] male and 13 702 [48.3%] female; 590 [2.2%] American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Other Pacific Islander; 1430 [5.4%] Asian; 4034 [15.3%] Black; 17 730 [67.2%] White; and 2592 [9.8%] other [unspecified] or more than 1 race; 5754 [20.9%] Hispanic and 21 838 [79.1%] non-Hispanic) with neighborhood food access data, 23.2% resided in low-income, low-food access neighborhoods in pregnancy and 24.4% in early childhood. After adjusting for individual sociodemographic characteristics, residence in low-income, low-food access (vs non-low-income, low-food access) neighborhoods in pregnancy was associated with higher BMI z scores at ages 5 years (β, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.03-0.11), 10 years (β, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.06-0.17), and 15 years (β, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.07-0.24); higher obesity risk at 5 years (risk ratio [RR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21-1.55), 10 years (RR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.37-2.12), and 15 years (RR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.53-2.83); and higher severe obesity risk at 5 years (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.95-1.53), 10 years (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.20-1.99), and 15 years (RR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.32-2.80). Findings were similar for residence in low-income, low-food access neighborhoods in early childhood. These associations were robust to alternative definitions of low income and low food access and additional adjustment for prenatal characteristics associated with child obesity. Residence in low-income, low-food access neighborhoods in early life was associated with higher subsequent child BMI and higher risk of obesity and severe obesity. We encourage future studies to examine whether investments in neighborhood resources to improve food access in early life would prevent child obesity.

Innovative perspectives on urban heritage. Towards the integrated regeneration of mass housing neighbourhoods

Introduction: Many 20th-century residential neighbourhoods exhibit a high degree of obsolescence both in terms of new technical demands and social and environmental requirements. However, current regeneration processes often lack cohesive vision, revealing sectorial biases and inconsistencies in quality interpretation. Methodology: This research proposes a comprehensive review on two levels: (1) integrated studies on urban rehabilitation and regeneration, and (2) a focus on Andalusian neighborhoods as a case study. Results: Drawing from a wide range of literature references, the research highlights the diverse approaches. Detailed case studies, particularly from Andalusia, illustrate the large applications of urban regeneration strategies and studies. Discussions: The research highlights that while residential neighbourhood regeneration has been extensively studied, there's a notable gap in recognising them as heritage assets. The study emphasises the necessity of integrating heritage considerations into urban regeneration processes. Conclusions: The research underscores the complex interplay between heritage conservation and urban regeneration, advocating for a holistic approach that respects historical contexts while meeting contemporary needs.

Determination of outdoor thermal comfort thresholds for hot and semi-arid climates: A field study of residential neighbourhoods in Jaipur city

Outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) plays a vital role in enhancing the livability and well-being of urban residents, making it an essential area of research, particularly in the context of climate change. However, few studies have specifically focused on hot and semi-arid regions, especially within residential environments. This study seeks to address this gap by assessing OTC in various residential areas classified as Local Climate Zones (LCZs), ensuring a diverse range of survey locations to evaluate people's comfort and stress levels. Using the Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) index, the study calibrated the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) scale for hot and semi-arid climates. In Jaipur, micrometeorological data was monitored alongside thermal perceptions, resulting in 2,428 valid responses gathered during both summer and winter seasons, between 09:00 and 21:00 h, when outdoor activity is common. The analysis revealed that microclimate parameters significantly influence thermal sensations in outdoor environments. Respondents showed high tolerance levels during summer, with variations in thermoneutrality, acceptability, preferences, and comfort across different built typologies. The threshold values identified in this study offer valuable insights for urban planners and designers, enabling them to enhance outdoor thermal comfort during the planning stages, ultimately creating more comfortable and livable urban spaces for residents.

Segregated by whom? Examining triple neighbourhood disadvantages and activity spaces in Seoul, South Korea

This study explores the potential mechanisms by which neighbourhood isolation is created and reinforced in non-home activity locations. The existing discussion on neighbourhood isolation, its consequences, and the subsequent reproduction of interactions between individuals and their environment has focused on their residential locations. However, the vitality of a neighbourhood depends not only on its own socioeconomic conditions but also on the conditions of the other neighbourhoods its residents visit and are visited by. Residential locations are only one of the many spaces in which individuals engage in their activities; therefore, to fully comprehend people’s everyday experiences of integration and isolation, it is imperative to look at interactions within both home and non-home activity spaces. Building on this extended perspective, we examine: (1) whether residential neighbourhood isolation is intensified by socioeconomic conditions individuals’ encounter in consumption and commuting activity spaces; and (2) which socioeconomic group drives the association between residential neighbourhood isolation and activity spaces—whether both disadvantaged and privileged groups contribute to isolation through the differential use of urban space or either group predominantly leads this association. We use Seoul as a case study, characterised as a city that is highly populated, contains multiple economic centres, functions with a highly affordable and efficient public transportation system, and suffers from increasing socioeconomic segregation. The results suggest that mobility patterns in activity spaces tend to reinforce neighbourhood isolation through potential forces driven by neighbourhood homophily. Isolation in the use of urban spaces appears to be driven mainly by the self-seclusion of the most advantaged neighbourhood group, while neighbourhoods in the lower socioeconomic status groups indicate broader cross-interactions across status groups, probably because of Seoul’s transit-friendly environment. Our study contributes to enhancing the understanding of spatial-societal inequalities in Korea and beyond and could assist in formulating policies for a more balanced provision of diverse urban social services and infrastructure.

‘There is a lot of traffic at the school gate in the morning which makes me nervous’: exploring children’s current and desired school commutes

ABSTRACT Although children are the primary users of many spaces, their voices are often unheard in transport planning. We therefore do not know much about children’s barriers or wishes regarding mobility. What is known, however, is that children have become less independent in their daily mobility, with parents (or guardians) increasingly driving children instead of allowing them to walk and cycle. The decline in active mobility is worrisome, since active mobility is beneficial to children, but incorporating children’s voices in transport planning can be conducive to increased active mobility of children. The objective of this paper is to explore the wishes and barriers of children regarding school commuting. Data was collected from a survey completed by 1251 pupils and through workshops with four schools in a residential neighbourhood in Brussels, Belgium. We found that there is a significant gap between the current and desired transport modes of pupils, with an important untapped potential for cycling. We also found that traffic safety is a predominant worry of pupils. Additionally, when suggesting the re-design of their school neighbourhood, the most recurring suggestions from pupils included walking and cycling infrastructure, and reduced access to the school neighbourhood for cars.

Evaluating the Efficiency of Spatial Distribution of ATM Machines in Abha City using Geographical Information Systems

This study aims to use geographic information systems to analyze the spatial distribution of ATMs in Abha city. This is based on the most important applied aspects of geographic information systems, namely spatial analysis, to reveal the characteristics of the spatial distribution of ATMs and their distribution pattern, and to evaluate the efficiency of their distribution according to spatial variables. The study came out with a number of results and recommendations, the most important of which is increasing the number of ATMs in high-density neighborhoods that are deprived of service, which reduces the pressure on them, in a way that ensures their sustainability, and in a manner that is proportional to both the area and the number of residents in the city's neighborhoods.

Could residential air-source heat pumps exacerbate outdoor summer overheating and winter overcooling in UK 2050s climate scenarios?

The UK government promotes heat pumps to replace gas boilers in the residential sector as a vital part of its strategy to achieve Net Zero by 2050. As climate change intensifies, heat pumps, traditionally used for heating, will also play a role in cooling to address indoor heat risks that threaten public health and increase energy demands. However, air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) might unintentionally exacerbate summer overheating and winter overcooling in residential neighbourhoods. This study uses a multi-scale modelling approach, combining SUEWS and EnergyPlus, to assess the impact of ASHPs on outdoor temperature in two idealised UK low-rise residential neighbourhoods under 2050s climate scenarios. Results show that in summer, ASHPs increase median anthropogenic heat emission by up to 19.3 W m-2 and raise local median 2 m air temperature by up to 0.12 °C in an idealised London neighbourhood. In winter, replacing gas boilers with ASHPs for heating reduces anthropogenic heat emissions by up to 11.1 W m-2 and lowers local air temperatures by up to 0.16 °C in London. The research shows that conventional waste heat calculations from air-conditioning can overestimate anthropogenic heat emissions by up to 86 %, and cooling entire building rather than just occupied rooms can increase energy consumption by 68 %. Although temperature changes will vary across UK cities, the response of air temperature to anthropogenic heat change is generally consistent. The study enhances understanding of role of ASHPs in the UK's net zero target for 2050, highlighting the importance of balancing outdoor and indoor thermal comfort when considering the wide use of ASHPs.

Assessment and Modelling of Walk Trips in Akure, Nigeria

The study examined and modeled the walking behavior patterns of residents in Akure, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling approach was used to collect relevant data for assessing and modeling the walking trip patterns. The questionnaires were administered to 300 participants between May to November 2019 (6 months) across three primary residential neighborhoods in the city; high-density, medium-density, and low-density areas. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software and subsequently modeled using multi-variable regression techniques. The study found that 48.7% of the sampled population preferred to walk, and 49.7% perceived walking as an alternative to motorized trips. Significant differences were observed in the socioeconomic characteristics of residents, such as age and income, across the residential zones (F = 54.731, p<0.001; F = 68.278, p<0.001). The key factors that greatly influenced decision of respondents to walk included socioeconomic factors, such as income, personal car ownership, educational qualifications, and employment status, with age and sex being the least significant socioeconomic determinants. Generally, the factors that motivated respondents to choose walking as a travel mode included its relative affordability, the lack of personal vehicles, awareness of health benefits, safety and security concerns, avoidance of motorized traffic congestion, and favorable weather conditions. The findings of this study have important implications for transportation planning. The paper recommends the need to incorporate non-motorized spaces and walkways into various levels of urban planning and implementation to foster a more walkable environment and encourage active transportation in the city.

Activating the potential for more walking in work tour: An explorative study on car commuters

This paper investigates the Potential for More Walking (PMW) in work tour among car commuters and proposes ways to encourage them to activate this potential. The study utilized a sample of 621 car commuters in the city of Qom, Iran, who expressed a willingness to replace their daily commute pattern with an alternative commute pattern that involves more walking time. The findings of the random effect binary logit model indicated that network patterns with improved connectivity in the residential neighborhood have a significant impact on activating the PMW. Additionally, subjective factors such as positive perceptions towards sidewalk conditions, longer distances between home and workplace, and positive attitudes towards walking were found to be associated with an increased tendency to activate the PMW. Moreover, the study assessed a set of transportation demand management measures that could influence individual behavior towards activating the PMW. The results indicated that pull measures are generally more effective than push measures in promoting walking during work commuting. Furthermore, the measures of turning streets with dense land-uses into pedestrian malls, increasing green spaces on sidewalks, and widening sidewalks were found to have the highest impact on activating the PMW, respectively.

Polycentricity and TOD-ness synergy: A novel composite index for integrated development of employment centers and residential cores in transit-oriented neighborhoods

Proximity of transit-oriented development (TOD) goals to polycentric urban development in the field of controlling negative effects of urban sprawl reinforces polycentricity and TOD-ness spatial synergy. Furthermore, identification of transit-oriented neighborhoods that have high potential to become secondary employment centers (ECs) is one of the most important challenges facing urban transport planners and land use policy makers. This research explained integrated development of ECs and residential cores (RCs) in transit-oriented neighborhoods using a novel composite index. The index is designed based on TOD-ness and polycentricity measures using spatial statistical methods and helps urban planners and policy makers to better identify polycentric TODs as transit-oriented residential neighborhoods with high potential to become secondary employment centers. Research findings confirmed higher accessibility of polycentric TODs to public services and public and private transportation that have better integration in the development of urban facilities and transportation systems. Furthermore, the findings confirmed polycentricity and TOD-ness spatial synergies in polycentric TODs.

Assessing Residential Satisfaction Among The Residents In Ogbomoso Urban Centre, Nigeria

The importance of residents’ satisfaction with housing cannot be over-emphasised as it contributes to the quality of residents’ life. This study assess residential satisfaction among residents in Ogbomoso Urban Centre. Multistage sampling techniques and simple random sampling were applied, with the aid of questionnaire administration among 430 residents in twenty political wards but only 378 copies were properly filled, returned, and analysed. The population of the study area was collected from the National Population Commission to determine the population trend and the number of copies of the questionnaires to be administered in each of the political wards. Residential satisfaction was obtained through factors that contribute to the residents’ satisfaction and satisfaction level. At the beginning of the analysis, a factor analysis was applied to reduce the data set and to group various variables as factors. This is to present the magnitudes of residential satisfaction among the residents. Descriptive analysis with the use of frequency and percentage, cross-tabulation, regression analysis, mean index, residents’ relative satisfaction index, and relative importance satisfaction index were explored to assess residential satisfaction among the residents. The results revealed that the residents are not satisfied with the house and neighbourhoods. Their current demographic status has constrained them to continue staying within their residential neighbourhoods. The authors believe that, there is a need for a realistic and vigorous approach towards the provision of better housing and environment that enhance better living. This will invariably improve residents’ quality of life and reduce the socio-spatial divergence among various social groups.

58 Recreational walking and perceived environmental qualities in Denmark

Abstract Purpose The objective of this study is to investigate the variety of motivations behind recreational walking among individuals with diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. Additionally, we aim to employ a dynamic, person-centered approach to assess recreational walking behaviors geographically, along with preferences for the quality of places associated with recreational walking. Methods A survey conducted via the map-based platform Maptionnaire included 1838 adult respondents (aged 15-90 years) who engage in recreational walking. Georeferenced data regarding respondents’ home locations, other starting points for walking excursions, and points of interest along their routes were collected. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS), distances between home and other starting points, as well as points of interest, were calculated. Traditional questionnaire functions in Maptionnaire were also employed to gather additional information on recreational walking behaviors and motivations. Results Predominant motivations for recreational walking included mental well-being, physical health, enjoyment, and experiential aspects of walking. Individuals with tertiary education exhibited a positive correlation with motivations related to mental well-being, experiences, and outdoor activities with pets and children. Higher income levels were associated with experiences, walking with pets, enjoyment of walking, and socializing while walking. Our map-based approach revealed that recreational walking often commences at locations distant from home and is not confined to the immediate neighborhood. A total of 4598 points of interest were identified, with the most frequently cited place qualities being green spaces, water bodies, wildlife, scenic views, and tranquility. Conclusion Employing a dynamic, person-centered methodology allowed respondents to pinpoint relevant locations for their walking activities, irrespective of their residential neighborhoods. Recreational walking frequently begins away from home or extends beyond the nearest neighborhood. The median distance from home to mapped points of interest ranged between 1.0 and 1.6 km for home-based trips and between 9.4 and 30.6 km for trips originating from other locations. Greenery, water features, wildlife, scenic views, and tranquility emerged as the most favored place qualities associated with the mapped points. Support/Funding Source ‘Moving Denmark’ is funded by the Danish philanthropic foundation NordeaFonden (https://nordeafonden.dk/about-nordea-fonden).

Identifying Racial Disparities in Utilization and Clinical Outcomes of Ambulatory Hip Arthroscopy: Analysis of Temporal Trends and Causal Inference via Machine Learning.

Arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment of femoroacetabular pathology has experienced significant growth in the last 30 years; nevertheless, reduced utilization of orthopaedic procedures has been observed among the underrepresented population. The purpose of this study was to examine racial differences in case incidence rates, outcomes, and complications in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. It was hypothesized that racial and ethnic minority patients would undergo hip arthroscopy at a decreased rate compared with their White counterparts but that there would be no differences in clinical outcomes. Cross-sectional study. The State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Database and the State Emergency Department Database of New York were queried for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy between 2011 and 2017. Patients were stratified into White and racial and ethnic minority races, and intergroup comparisons were performed for utilization over time, total charges billed per encounter, 90-day emergency department (ED) visits, and revision hip arthroscopy. Temporal trends in the utilization of hip arthroscopy were identified, and racial differences in secondary outcomes were analyzed with a semiparametric method known as targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) backed by a library of machine learning algorithms. A total of 9745 patients underwent hip arthroscopy during the study period, with 1081 patients of minority race (11.1%). White patients underwent hip arthroscopy at 5.68 (95% CI, 4.98-6.48) times the incidence rate of racial and ethnic minority patients; these incidence rates grew annually at a ratio of 1.11 in White patients compared with 1.03 in racial and ethnic minority patients (P < .001). Based on the TMLE, racial and ethnic minority patients were significantly more likely to incur higher costs (P < .001) and visit the ED within 90 days (P = .049) but had negligible differences in reoperation rates at a 2-year follow-up (P = .53). Subgroup analysis identified that higher likelihood for 90-day ED admissions among racial and ethnic minority patients compared with White patients was associated with Medicare insurance (P = .002), median income in the lowest quartile (P = .012), and residence in low-income neighborhoods (P = .006). Irrespective of insurance status, racial and ethnic minority patients undergo hip arthroscopy at a lower incidence and incur higher costs per surgical encounter.

Accessibility, neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and expenditures on electronic gambling machines: a spatial analysis based on player account data

BackgroundGambling and its harmful effects on human health and well-being represent a significant public health concern in many countries, with electronic gambling machines (EGMs) recognized as one of the most detrimental forms of gambling. Previous research has established an association between EGM accessibility, expenditure, gambling harm, and the socioeconomic status (SES) of neighborhoods. However, there is limited understanding of the direct impact of SES and EGM accessibility on individual player expenditures. Prior estimations of expenditure often rely on self-reported data or venue-level revenue statistics. This study uses high spatial resolution socioeconomic data together with individual-level account-based location and expenditure (point of sales) data (71,669 players, 745 EGM venues) to explore the association between EGM accessibility and neighborhood SES and to examine whether the EGM expenditure of neighborhood residents is associated with EGM accessibility and neighborhood SES.Data and methodsPlayer account data include information on the home location and expenditure of the entire EGM gambling population across every EGM venue located in the Helsinki region, Finland. High-resolution (250 × 250 m) grid-level data on socioeconomic variables were used to obtain the local socioeconomic conditions of the players. EGM accessibility was estimated for every grid cell using a calibrated gravity model derived from the player account data. Statistical analyses included correlation analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and regression models.ResultsFirst, significantly higher levels of EGM accessibility were found in areas with lower local SES. Second, regression analysis revealed that both higher EGM accessibility and lower local SES were associated with higher annual losses per adult. These results, in combination with visual and spatial autocorrelation analyses, revealed that accessibility to EGM gambling is highly concentrated, especially in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods with higher levels of EGM expenditure.ConclusionsThe results lay the groundwork for future spatial research on gambling harm, expenditure, accessibility, and SES utilizing detailed account data on the interaction between players and venues. The results underscore the importance of spatial restrictions when regulating EGM accessibility, particularly in areas with vulnerable populations, as a crucial measure for public health and harm prevention. The results also enable targeted gambling harm prevention actions at the local level.