Association of neighbourhood residence and preferences with the built environment, work-related travel behaviours, and health implications for employed adults : Findings from the URBAN study
Journal article
Badland, Hannah, Oliver, Melody, Kearns, Robin, Mavoa, Suzanne, Witten, Karen, Duncan, Mitch and Batty, G. David. (2012). Association of neighbourhood residence and preferences with the built environment, work-related travel behaviours, and health implications for employed adults : Findings from the URBAN study. Social Science and Medicine. 75(8), pp. 1469-1476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.029
Authors | Badland, Hannah, Oliver, Melody, Kearns, Robin, Mavoa, Suzanne, Witten, Karen, Duncan, Mitch and Batty, G. David |
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Abstract | Although the neighbourhoods and health field is well established, the relationships between neighbourhood selection, neighbourhood preference, work-related travel behaviours, and transport infrastructure have not been fully explored. It is likely that understanding these complex relationships more fully will inform urban policy development, and planning for neighbourhoods that support health behaviours. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to identify associations between these variables in a sample of employed adults. Self-reported demographic, work-related transport behaviours, and neighbourhood preference data were collected from 1616 employed adults recruited from 48 neighbourhoods located across four New Zealand cities. Data were collected between April 2008 and September 2010. Neighbourhood built environment measures were generated using geographical information systems. Findings demonstrated that more people preferred to live in urban (more walkable), rather than suburban (less walkable) settings. Those living in more suburban neighbourhoods had significantly longer work commute distances and lower density of public transport stops available within the neighbourhood when compared with those who lived in more urban neighbourhoods. Those preferring a suburban style neighbourhood commuted approximately 1.5 km further to work when compared with participants preferring urban settings. Respondents who preferred a suburban style neighbourhood were less likely to take public or active transport to/from work when compared with those who preferred an urban style setting, regardless of the neighbourhood type in which they resided. Although it is unlikely that constructing more walkable environments will result in work-related travel behaviour change for all, providing additional highly walkable environments will help satisfy the demand for these settings, reinforce positive health behaviours, and support those amenable to change to engage in higher levels of work-related public and active transport. |
Keywords | Transport ; Neighbourhood; Physical activity; Adults; New Zealand; Employed; Travel behaviour |
Year | 01 Jan 2012 |
Journal | Social Science and Medicine |
Journal citation | 75 (8), pp. 1469-1476 |
Publisher | Elsevier Ltd. (UK) |
ISSN | 0277-9536 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.05.029 |
Web address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953612004674?via%3Dihub |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1469-1476 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 28 Jun 2012 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 17 May 2024 |
Additional information | © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY license. |
Place of publication | United Kingdom |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/9076z/association-of-neighbourhood-residence-and-preferences-with-the-built-environment-work-related-travel-behaviours-and-health-implications-for-employed-adults-findings-from-the-urban-study
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Publisher's version
OA_Mavoa_2012_Association_of_neighbourhood_residence_and_preferences.pdf | |
License: CC BY 3.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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