Healthy Urban Planning: the Influence of Micro Built Environment Attributes on Older Adults’ Outdoor Walking
Dates: | 9 May 2018 |
Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
What is it: | Seminar |
Organiser: | Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health |
Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
Speaker: | Dr Razieh Zandieh |
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Dr Razieh Zandieh, Lecturer in Urban Design and Planning will present on ‘Healthy Urban Planning: the Influence of Micro Built Environment Attributes on Older Adults’ Outdoor Walking’.
Outdoor walking is a type of physical activity and has certain benefits for healthy aging. It has been found that older residents of high?deprivation areas walk less than those of low?deprivation areas. Previous research has shown that neighbourhood built environment may support and encourage outdoor walking. The extent to which the built environment supports and encourages walking is called ‘walkability’.
This study examines inequalities in neighbourhood walkability in high? versus low?deprivation areas and their possible influences on disparities in older adults’ outdoor walking levels. For this purpose, it focuses on micro built environment attributes (safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics) relevant to neighbourhood walkability. It applied a mixed?method approach, included 173 participants (?65 years), and used a questionnaire and walking interviews (with a sub?sample) to measure neighbourhood built environment attributes. It used the Geographic Positioning System (GPS) technology to measure outdoor walking levels. Data on personal characteristics was collected by completing a questionnaire.
The results show inequalities in neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics in high- versus low-deprivation areas may influence disparities in participants’ outdoor walking levels. Improvements of perceived neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics in high-deprivation areas are encouraged.
Speaker
Dr Razieh Zandieh
Role: Lecturer in Urban Design and Planning
Organisation: School of Environment, Education and Development
Travel and Contact Information
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C4.24, 4th Floor, Block C,
Ellen Wilkinson Building
Manchester