Inequitable walking conditions among older people: examining the interrelationship of neighbourhood socio-economic status and urban form using a comparative case study

Abstract

BackgroundSupportive neighbourhood walking conditions are particularly important for older people as they age and who, as a group, prefer walking as a form of physical activity. Urban form and socio-economic status (SES) can influence neighbourhood walking behaviour. The objectives of this study were: a) to examine how urban form and neighbourhood SES inter-relate to affect the experiences of older people who walk in their neighbourhoods; b) to examine differences among neighbourhood stakeholder key informant perspectives on socio-political processes that shape the walkability of neighbourhood environments.MethodsAn embedded comparative case study examined differences among four Ottawa neighbourhoods that were purposefully selected to provide contrasts on urban form (inner-urban versus suburban) and SES (higher versus lower). Qualitative data collected from 75 older walkers and 19 neighbourhood key informants, as well as quantitative indicators were compared on the two axes of urban form and SES among the four neighbourhoods.Results and discussionExamining the inter-relationship of neighbourhood SES and urban form characteristics on older people's walking experiences indicated that urban form differences were accentuated positively in higher SES neighbourhoods and negatively in lower SES neighbourhoods. Older people in lower SES neighbourhoods were more affected by traffic hazards and more reliant on public transit compared to their higher SES counterparts. In higher SES neighbourhoods the disadvantages of traffic in the inner-urban neighbourhood and lack of commercial destinations in the suburban neighbourhood were partially offset by other factors including neighbourhood aesthetics. Key informant descriptions of the socio-political process highlighted how lower SES neighbourhoods may face greater challenges in creating walkable places. These differences pertained to the size of neighbourhood associations, relationships with political representatives, accessing information and salient neighbourhood association issues. Findings provide evidence of inequitable walking environments.ConclusionFuture research on walking must consider urban form-SES inter-relationships and further examine the equitable distribution of walking conditions as well as the socio-political processes driving these conditions. There is a need for municipal governments to monitor differences in walking conditions among higher and lower SES neighbourhoods, to be receptive to the needs of lower SES neighbourhood and to ensure that policy decisions are taken to address inequitable walking conditions.

How Design of Places Promotes or Inhibits Mobility of Older Adults

“…L. Michael, Green, & Farquhar, 2006); architecture or historical markers (Gallagher et al, 2010; Y. L. Michael, Green, & Farquhar, 2006); and general positive aesthetic/attractive environment (Carnegie et al, 2002; Grant, Edwards, Sveistrup, Andrew, & Egan, 2010; Humpel, Marshall, Leslie, Bauman, & Owen, 2004). To enable us to make sense of these disparate definitions, we chose to adopt a broad and inclusive definition—aesthetics was the appeal of the built environment and one’s surroundings.…”

Neighbourhood environment and physical activity in older adults

“…Accordingly, a supportive neighbourhood physical environment is likely to facilitate opportunities to be physically active and socially engaged (e.g., Chaudhury et al, 2012Chaudhury et al, , 2011Mahmood et al, 2012;Nagel et al, 2008;Phillips et al, 2005;Rosenberg et al, 2012;Yen and Anderson, 2012). Although personal and intrinsic physical capabilities may contribute more to the neighbourhood activity levels of older adults than perceptions of the neighbourhood environment (de Melo et al, 2010), other evidence suggests that the perceived quality and accessibility of the built environment is important for neighbourhood activity engagement in maintaining good health (Grant et al, 2010a;Stathi et al, 2012). Although research examining the relation among physical activity, and neighbourhood physical environment is growing (e.g., Carlson, et al, 2012;Chaudhury et al, 2012;Corey et al, 2008;Frank et al, 2010;Michael et al, 2006;Michael and Carlson, 2009;Rhodes et al, 2006;Cerin et al, 2008;Villanueva et al, 2014), empirical evidence of the influence of several aspects of the neighbourhood built environment on physical activity in older adults is unclear and inconsistent.…”

Older Adults’ Outdoor Walking: Inequalities in Neighbourhood Safety, Pedestrian Infrastructure and Aesthetics

“…However, the influences of these spatial inequalities on older residents’ total outdoor walking levels have received less attention. Grant, et al [43] have considered inequalities in walking conditions among older adults living in low- and high-deprivation areas without examining older adults’ total outdoor walking levels.…”