Built Environment and Health: The Role of the Neighbourhood Walkability on Physical Activity in Metropolitan Tehran

The design of neighborhood, its structure and its quality can affect the need, the desire or the opportunity for people to walk and cycle, whether as part of their daily routine, as incidental exercise or for recreation. Thus the aim of the study to examines the relationship between neighbourhood walkability and physical activity among adults in the context of an Iranian city, Metropolitan Tehran. Three neighbourhood walkability measures, net residential density, land use mix and street connectivity were calculated using geographic information systems (GIS) at census zones scale. Area-level socio economic status (SES) was measured for each census zone and sample areas in which to conduct a survey were chosen according to both walkability and SES scores. Data about physical activity of 657 participants in these areas was obtained through a self-reported method. The results show that people who live in high walkable areas have more physical activity typically walking than people who live in low walkable area regardless of the level of SES.

Keywords:

Walkability , Physical activity , Health , Neighbourhood , Built environment , Tehran