Association between Campus Walkability and Affective Walking Experience, and the Mediating Role of Walking Attitude

Abstract

The walkability of a neighborhood is important for alleviating transport problems and improving the social and physical wellbeing of residents. However, it is unclear to what extent high walkability contributes to positive attitudes about walking and walking experiences on university campuses. In addition, little is known about the extent and mechanism by which walking attitude influences the affective walking experiences of students. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between campus walkability and students’ affective walking experience, as well as to explain the role of walking attitude as a mediator of this relationship. To address these issues, data were collected via questionnaires at a Chinese university and analyzed by using the structural equation model. After controlling for personal characteristics, the results indicated that campus walkability had a positive direct and indirect (through walking attitude) association with affective walking experiences. Our findings have proved that walkable campuses are important because they promote positive walking attitudes and walking emotions, which are beneficial to students’ mental health and subjective wellbeing.

Exploring the Causal Relationship between Walkability and Affective Walking Experience: Evidence from 7 Major Tertiary Education Campuses in China

“…According to empirical research, perceived walkability is also related to geographical features such as density and the number of amenities [7,12,20,27,28,34]. We hence incorporate additional geographical features generated by ArcGIS to the survey data.…”

“…One of the key functions of university campuses is to promote student health and tness through walkability [3,12,13]. The walkability is typically determined by the built environment factors and student perceptions [12,14].…”

“…One of the key functions of university campuses is to promote student health and tness through walkability [3,12,13]. The walkability is typically determined by the built environment factors and student perceptions [12,14]. Compare to western campuses, Chinese campus has de ned boundaries, guarded entrances, and universally accessible amenities [12,15], which aims fostering healthy living habits and personal growth [3,16,17].…”

“…The walkability is typically determined by the built environment factors and student perceptions [12,14]. Compare to western campuses, Chinese campus has de ned boundaries, guarded entrances, and universally accessible amenities [12,15], which aims fostering healthy living habits and personal growth [3,16,17]. Previous research indicates that the walkability is associated with social capital, identity, engagement, safety and livability within different neighborhoods [18][19][20].…”

University Campus as a Complex Pedestrian Dynamic Network: A Case Study of Walkability Patterns at Texas Tech University

“…The physical environment of a university campus provides American students with a rare, if not unique, opportunity to experience walking not only as the most natural mode of transportation but also as a culture that positively impacts cognitive functions like creativity, memory, and concentration [1,3]. It also improves community health by promoting social interactions, economic aspects, and environmental impact [3][4][5].…”