Macro and micro features of walkability
This month's content is excerpted from our recent Evidence Paper - Walkability and the built environment.
Promoting walking is a simple and effective strategy that could increase the number of people who engage in physical activity at the population-level. Walking is an affordable and inclusive form of exercise that does not require specialised equipment or training. It can be easily integrated into daily routines, whether through active travel, such as walking to local destinations, or through recreational walking.
Built environment features relevant to walking are commonly conceptualised at two levels: the macro-scale and the micro-scale.
Macro-scale features of the built environment shape the overall structure and layout of an area and are largely influenced by city planning and transport policy decisions.
Key macro-scale built environment features include:
- Population and residential densities – how many people or dwellings are located within a given area
- Land use diversity – the integration of different types of land uses such as residential, commercial, institutional and recreational lands in an area
- Access to a variety of destinations – such as shops, schools, public transport stops, green and blue spaces, and community services
- Street connectivity – how well pedestrian-accessible street networks in an area link to destinations and enable more direct routes.
Neighbourhoods that offer a mix of destinations and well-connected pedestrian-accessible street networks make walking a more convenient activity.
Micro-scale features of the built environment refer to street-level design elements that shape how pleasant, comfortable and safe the walking experience is.
Key micro-scale built environment features include:
- Well-maintained, continuous footpaths – separated from motor vehicle traffic and micro-mobility users (e.g., people riding bikes and using e-scooters)
- Traffic-calming and safety measures for people walking – such as clear and prioritised pedestrian crossings
- Adequate street lighting – for better visibility and safety at night
- Tree canopy coverage – provides shade, reduces heat, and contributes to pleasing streetscapes
- Streetscape aesthetics and design – including benches, public art and other aesthetic elements that enhance the walking experience.
One impactful way to encourage walking is by designing built environments that make walking a convenient, safe and appealing choice for regular transport and recreation.
View the full evidence paper to find out more, including actionable recommendations for built environment practitioners, all levels of government, health professionals, researchers and community members.
https://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/resources/publications_and_policies
The Heart Foundation gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organisations who have prepared this paper: Dr Manoj Chandrabose; Associate Professor Lucy Gunn; Professor Hannah Badland; Professor Anna Timperio, Professor Jenny Veitch, Deakin University Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition; Dr Nicole Edwards, University of Western Australia, Australian Urban Design Research Centre; Professor Thomas Astell-Burt, University of Sydney; Professor Xiaoqi Feng, University of New South Wales; Associate Professor Jerome N Rachele, Dr Venurs Loh, Victoria University; Professor Verity Cleland, University of Tasmania, Menzies Research Centre; Dr Alison Carver, Monash University; Professor Hayley Christian, Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia; Distinguished Professor Neville Owen; Professor Takemi Sugiyama.