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An extensive body of literature suggests that physical environment, physical activity, and socioeconomic status (SES) are intrinsically linked to each other and to weight related health problems. In this study, the role of objective and perceived pedestrian environment characteristics (microscale measures) was explored in relation to people's recreational walking patterns in two neighborhoods with opposite SES. A total of 441 street segments were assessed and a total of 133 questionnaires were conducted. The findings suggest that recreational walking can take place beyond a neighborhood's suggested SES when objective and especially perceived microscale characteristics (pedestrian environment) are favorable.

Components of conventional city form in the USA have been discussed in public health literature as elements adding to the health-related problems that occur owing to lack of exercise and healthy diet. City planning literature provides prescriptions for good city form with little reference to public health. This paper attempts to align the components of good city form with the expected performance requirements for healthy communities. The good city form components are articulated to improve ‘operationalisation’ of that variable in public health literature. The performance requirements for healthy communities are aligned with good city form components to emphasise the viability of including those elements in current practice of city planning for sustainability.