Built-environment variables influencing aggregate walking : a multivariate analysis of Halifax neighbourhoods

Abstract

This study examines neighbourhood characteristics affecting the incidence of walking trips in urban and suburban areas of Halifax, Canada, using data from the Space-Time Activity Research (STAR) survey, which was conducted in 2007-2008. Primary respondents completed a two-day time-diary survey, and their movements were tracked using a GPS data logger. Based on mapped walking tracks, hypotheses were developed regarding variations in walking density. To test these, walking distances were aggregated by census tracts, and expressed as walking densities (per resident, per metre of road, and per developed area). Multivariate regression was used to examine which neighbourhood variables are most useful as estimators of walking densities. Contrary to much of the planning literature, built-environment measures of road connectivity and dwelling density were found to have little estimating power. Office and institutional land uses are more useful estimators, as are the income and age characteristics of the resident population.