Key Citations:
1. Ewing R, Cervero R. Travel and the built environment: a meta-analysis. Journal of the American Planning Association. 2010; 76:3(2010):265-294.
2. Mota J et al. Perceived neighborhood environments and physical activity in adolescents. Preventive Medicine. 2005; 41:834-836.
Walkability
The Walkability indicator measures how friendly an area is for walking to common destinations such as retail, community services including health care centers, recreation areas and parks. Walkability may also be influenced by factors such as the availability of quality footpaths, sidewalks or other pedestrian rights-of-way, conditions of local roads and traffic, and land use patterns. Walkability has been shown to have a multitude of health, environmental, and economic benefits. Walkable neighborhoods promote more physical activity through walking and biking, and often have reduced pollution from greenhouse gas emissions generated by vehicles. Communities designed to be walkable have been shown to encourage fit and healthy lifestyles, fight obesity and promote sustainability. The Walkability indicator is used as a proxy to evaluate access to local amenities and retail. Although the Walkability indicator is under the Neighborhood Characteristics domain, it also influences the Transportation, Economic Health, Employment Opportunities, Educational Opportunities, Health Systems and Public Safety, and Housing domains. Data to measure walkability is derived from scored factors that include employment location, households, sidewalks, and block density.