5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
5.2. EFL Project: “Let’s Make Literature Great Again!”
To date, educational approaches have been the key focus of governmental policy in addressing physical inactivity. At all levels of government, communication campaigns are being used to raise awareness about the health benefits of walking and of leading a physically active lifestyle. Given the growing amount of evidence linking the built environment with walking behaviour and overall physical activity, decision makers should put more emphasis on providing a supportive environment for regular physical activity. Evidence from this study and other similar investigations shows that destinations matter when considering strategies to increase
neighbourhood walking and help create healthy and active communities. A growing literature supports the idea that “communities should be built to support physical activity for both
transportation and recreational purposes” (Sallis, 2008). Accessible utilitarian destinations such as shops or stores encourages walking for transportation and can reduce automobile dependency.
Recreational destinations such as parks support leisure time walking and physical activity.
Providing both of these amenities in a neighbourhood makes overall walking more appealing and practical for residents. Hence, although education campaigns are a valuable component of a physical activity promotion strategy, municipally based land use decisions should also be considered as central to address this public health priority. Until neighbourhood environments provide ample opportunities for people to engage in regular walking, the success of media campaigns encouraging neighbourhood walking will be limited (Sallis, 1998).
This research project was applied to the City of Richmond: a largely built out
municipality where the supply of new land for development is very limited. The findings are all the more relevant for municipalities that are planning new communities on previously
undeveloped land. While conventional urban design in North America is characterized by
sprawling land use patterns that generally increase the distance between residences and
destinations, pedestrian-oriented developments integrating a mix of destinations in walking range from homes are growing in popularity. Providing neighbourhood-scale retail establishments and easily accessible recreational spaces in new developments can help promote regular physical activity through pedestrian mobility. Municipalities should therefore consider the public health benefits of mixing residential and retail land uses and ensuring park spaces are easily accessible in new communities. Planning for pedestrian-oriented communities would avoid the
infrastructure costs and administrative burden related to integrating retail or developing additional parks in established communities. While research to date has provided important insights on the relationship between community design and physical activity, further collaborations between urban planners and public health professionals may help to identify appropriate guidelines and practices to create healthy and active communities.
Appendices
Appendix A: Median Minutes Walked Per Week, BC-HWS Communities
Community Median minutes walked
per week
Alberni 298
Windermere-LHA 277
Port Hardy/Port McNeil 273
Golden-LHA 258
Mackenzie 240
Vancouver Island North 239
Robson Valley/McBride/Valemont 233
South Surrey/ White Rock 204
Port Moody 204
Appendix B: Richmond Centre Study Area Map
Source: Google Maps (2009)
Appendix C: International Physical Activity Prevalence Study Environment Module
1. What is the main type of housing in your neighborhood?
• Detached single-family housing
• Townhouses, row houses, apartments, or condos of 2-3 stories
• Mix of single-family residences and townhouses, row houses, apartments or condos
• Apartments or condos of 4-12 stories
• Apartments or condos of more than 12 stories
• Don’t know/Not sure
2. Many shops, stores, markets or other places to buy things I need are within easy walking distance of my home. Would you say that you...
• Strongly disagree
• Somewhat disagree
• Somewhat agree
• Strongly agree
• Don’t know/Not sure
3. It is within a 10-15 minutes walk to a transit stop (such as bus, train, trolley, or tram) from my home. Would you say that you...
4. There are sidewalks on most of the streets in my neighborhood. Would you say that you...
• Strongly disagree
• Somewhat disagree
• Somewhat agree
• Strongly agree
• Don’t know/Not sure
5. There are facilities to bicycle in or near my neighborhood, such as special lanes, separate paths or trails, shared use paths for cycles and pedestrians. Would you say that you...
• Strongly disagree
• Somewhat disagree
• Somewhat agree
• Strongly agree
• Don’t know/Not sure
6. My neighborhood has several free or low cost recreation facilities, such as parks, walking trails, bike paths, recreation centers, playgrounds, public swimming pools, etc. Would you say that you...
7. The crime rate in my neighborhood makes it unsafe to go on walks at night. Would you say that you...
8. There is so much traffic on the streets that it makes it difficult or unpleasant to walk in my neighborhood. Would you say that you...
• Strongly disagree
• Somewhat disagree
• Somewhat agree
• Strongly agree
• Don’t know/Not sure
9. I see many people being physically active in my neighborhood doing things like walking, jogging, cycling, or playing sports and active games. Would you say that you...
• Strongly disagree
• Somewhat disagree
• Somewhat agree
• Strongly agree
• Don’t know/Not sure
10. There are many interesting things to look at while walking in my neighborhood. Would you say you...
• Strongly disagree
• Somewhat disagree
• Somewhat agree
• Strongly agree
• Don’t know/Not sure
11. How many motor vehicles in working order (e.g., cars, trucks, motorcycles) are there at your household?
• ____ Motor Vehicles
• Don’t know/Not sure
Appendix D: City of Richmond Planning Areas Map
Source: City of Richmond (1999)
Appendix E: City Centre Villages and Southeast Area Map
Source: City of Richmond (2008a)
Bibliography
Works Cited
Addy, C., Wilson, D., Kirtland, K., Ainswprth, B., Sharpe, P., and Kimsley, D. (2004).
Associations of perceived social and physical environmental supports with physical activity and walking behavior. American Journal of Public Health, 94(3), pp. 440-443.
Besser, L., and Dannenberg, A. (2005). Walking to public transit: Stes to help meet physical activity recommendations. American journal of Preventative Medecine, 29(4), pp. 273-180.
Bouchard, C., Shephard, R., and Stephens, T. (1994). Physical Activity, Fitness, and Health.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Bray, R., Vakil, C., and Elliott, D. (2005). Report on Public Health and Urban Sprawl in Ontario:
A review of Pertinent Literature. Ontario College of Family Physicians, January 2005.
Carnegie, M., Bauman, A., Marshal, A., Mohsin, M., Wetley-ise, V., andnBooth, M. (2002).
Perceptions of the physical environment, stage of change for physical activity and walking among Australian adults. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sports, 73, pp. 146-155.
Catlin, T., Simoes, E., and Brownson, R. (2003). Environmental and policy factors associated with overweight among adults in Missouri. American Journal of Health Promotion, 17(4), pp. 249-258.
Cervero R. and Radisch C. (1996). Travel Choice in Pedestrian Versus Automobile Oriented Neighbourhoods. Transport Policy, 3(3), pp. 127-141
Coleman, R. (2001). Cost of Obesity in British Columbia. GPIAtlantic. Retrieved on January 7, 2009 from: http://www.gpiatlantic.org/pdf/health/obesity/bc-obesity.pdf
Craig C., Cameron C., Russell S., and Beaulieu A. (2001). Increasing physical activity:
supporting children’s participation. 2000 Physical Activity Monitor. Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute. 2001.
Craig, C., Marshall, A., Sjostrom, M., Bauman, A., Booth, B., Ainsworth, B., Pratt, M., Ekelund, U., Yngve, A. Sallis, J., Oja, P. (2003). International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 35(8), 1381-95.
De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Sallis, J., and Saelens, B. (2003). Environmental correlates of physical activity in a sample of Belgian adults. American Journal of Health Promotion, 18(1), pp.
83-92.
Discovery Research. (2007). International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ): Community Summary Report. Prepared for the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association.
Ewing, R. Schmid, T., Killingsworth, R., Zlot, A., and Raudenbush, S. (2003). Relationship Between Urban Sprawl and Physical Activity, Obesity, and Morbidity. American Journal of Heath Promotion, 18(1), pp. 47-57
Eyler, A., Brownson, R., Bacak, S., and Hoseman, R. (2003). The epidemiology of walking for physical activity in the United States. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise, 35, pp.
1529-1536.
Foster, C., Hillsdon, M., and Thorogood, M. (2004). Environmental perceptions and walking in English adults. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 58, 924–928.
Frank, L., and Pivo, G. (1995). Impacts of mixed use and density on utilization of three modes of travel: SOV, transit and walking. Transportation Research Record, 1466, pp. 44-55.
Frank L., and Engelke, P. (2001). The built environment and human activity patterns: exploring the impacts of urban form on human health. Journal of Planning Literature, 16, pp. 202-218.
Frank, L., Engelke, P., and Shmid, T. (2003). Health and Community Design: the Impact of the Built Environment on Physical Activity. Washington: Island Press.
Frank, L., Andresen, M, and Schmid, T. (2004). Obesity relationships with community design, physical activity, and time spent in cars. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 27(2), 87-95.
Frank, L., Sallis, J., Saelens, B., Bachman, W., and Washbrook, K. (2005). A Study of Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality and Health (LUTAQH) in King County, WA. Study prepared for the King County Office of Regional Transportation Planning.
Frank, L., Kavage, S., and Litman, T. (2006). Promoting Public Health through Smart Growth Smart Growth BC.
Giles-Corti, B., and Donovan, R. (2002). Socioeconomic status differences in recreational physical activity levels and real and perceived access to a supportive physical environment. Preventative Medicine, 36, pp. 601-611.
Giles-Corti B., and Donovan, R. (2003). Relative influences of individual, social environmental and physical correlates to walking. American Journal of Public Health, 93(9), pp. 1583-1589.
Go for Green. (1998). 1998 National Survey on Active Transportation: Summary Report.
Green L., Kreuter M. (1991). Health promotion planning: an educational and environmental approach. Mountain View, California: Mayfield Press.
Harnik, P., Simms, J. (2004). Parks: How far is too far? Planning Magazine, 70, pp. 8-11.
Heath, G., Brownson, R., Kruger, J., Miles, R., Powell, K., Ramsey, L. (2006). The effectiveness of urban design and land use and transport policies and practices to increase physical activity: a systematic review. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 3(1), pp. S55-S76.
Hillsdon, M., and Thorogood, M. (1996). A systematic review of physical activity promotion strategies. Biritsh Journal of Sports Medicine, 30, pp. 84-89.
Hoehner, C., Brennan, L., Bownson, R., Handy, S., Killingsworth, R. (2003). Opportunities for integrating public health and urban planning approaches to promote active community environments. American Journal of Health Promotion, 16(1), pp. 14-20.
Humpel, N., Owen, N., Iverson, D., Leslie, E., and Bauman, A. (2004). Perceived environment attributes, residential location, and walking for particular purposes. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 26(2), pp. 119 –125.
International City/County Management Association. (2002). Getting to Smart Growth: 100 Policies for Implementation.
International City/County Management Association. (2003). Getting to Smart Growth II: 100 more Policies for Implementation.
Katzmarzyk, P., Gledhill, N., and Shepard, R. (2000). The economic burden of physical inactivity in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 163 (11), pp. 1435-1440.
Katzmarzyk, P., and Janssen, I. (2004). The economic costs associated with physical inactivity and obesity in Canada: an update. (2004). Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 29(1), pp. 90-115.
King, W., Brach, J., Belle, S., Killingsworth, R., Fenton, M., and Krista, A. (2003). The relationship between convenience of destinations and walking levels in older women.
American Journal of Public Health, 18(1), pp. 74-82.
Kitamura, P., Mokhtarian, P., and Laidet, L. (1997). A micro-analysis of land-use and travel in five neighbourhoods in the San Francisco Bay Area. Transportation, 24(2), pp. 125-158.
Li, F., Fisher, J., Browson, R., Bosworth, M. (2005). Multilevel modelling of built environment characteristics related to neighbourhood walking activity in older adults. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 59, pp. 558-564.
Lopez, R. (2004). Urban Sprawl and Risk for Being Overweight or Obese. American Journal of Public Health, 94(9), pp.1574-1579.
Macintyre, S., Macdonald, S., Ellaway, A. (2008). Lack of agreement between measured and self-reported distance from public green parks in Glasgow, Scotland. International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, 5(26).
Nagel, C., Carlson, N., Bosworth, M., and Michael, Y. (2008). The relation between
neighbourhood built environment and walking activity among older adults. American Journal of Epidemiology, 168(4), pp. 461-168.
Pollard, T. (2003). Policy Prescriptions for Healthier Communities. The Science of Health Promotion, 18(1), pp.109-113.
Saelens, B., Sallis, J., Black, J., and Chen, D. (2003). Neighborhood-based differences in physical activity: an environmental scale evaluation. American Journal of Public Health, 93(9), pp.1552-1558.
Schmitz, A. and Scully, J. (2005). Creating Walkable Places: Compact, Mixed-Use Solutions.
Washington: Urban Land Institute.
Sallis, J., Bauman, A., Pratt, M. (1998). Environmental and policy interventions to promote
Sallis, J. (2006). International physical activity prevalence study: Self-administered
environmental module. Available from: http://www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu/IPAQIPS.pdf Sallis, J. (2008). Angels in the detail: Comment on “The relationship between destination
proximity, destination mix and physical activity”. Preventative Medicine, 46, pp. 6-7.
Tombari, E. (2005). Smart Growth, Smart Choices Series: Mixed-Use Development. National Association of Home Builders.
Transportation Research Board and Institute of Medicine. (2005). Does the Built Environment Influence Physical Activity?: Examining the Evidence. Committee on Physical Activity, Health, Transportation, and Land-use, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Zenk, S., Wilbur, J., Wang, E., McDevitt, J., Oh, A., Block, R., McNeil, S., and Savar, N. (2009).
Neighborhood environment and adherence to a walking intervention in African American women. Health Education and Behavior, 36 (1), pp. 167-181.
Interviews
Two key informant interviews were conducted on February 6, 2009. Both informants are City of Richmond municipal officials. Names are withheld for confidentiality purposes.
Public Documents
ActNow BC. (2006). Measuring our Success: Baseline Document.
http://www.actnowbc.gov.bc.ca/media/ActNowBC_Baseline.pdf Canadian Diabetes Association. (2005). The Prevalence and Cost of Diabetes.
http://www.diabetes.ca/files/prevalence-and-costs.pdf
Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute. (2006). Local Opportunities for Physical Activity and Sports: Trends from 1999-2004.
Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute. (2007). Physical Activity and Sports:
Encouraging Children to be Active.
City of Richmond. (1999). Official Community Plan.
City of Richmond. (2001a). Official Community Plan. Thompson Area, Dover Cursing Sub-Area Plan, Bylaw 7100, Schedule 2.2A.
City of Richmond (2001b). Offical Community Plan. Thompson Area, Terra Nova, Sub-Area Plan, Bylaw 7100, Schedule 2.2B.
City of Richmond. (2003). 2010 Richmond Trails Strategy: Linking People, the Community and Nature. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Division, March 2003.
City of Richmond. (2006). City Centre Area Plan Update – Study Progress & Preliminary Public Consultation Findings. Report to the Planning Committee, October 11, 2006.
City of Richmond. (2007a). City Centre Transportation Plan Update: Creating a Transportation Vision. December, 2007.
City of Richmond. (2007b). City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) Update – Proposed Area Plan Concept. Report to the Planning Committee, February 1, 2007.
City of Richmond. (2007c). City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) Update – Projected Community Change. Report to the Planning Committee, June 28, 2007.
City of Richmond. (2008a). City Centre Area Plan, Bylaw 7100 Schedule 2.10. Consolidated Version, July 21, 2008.
City of Richmond. (2008b). City Centre Implementation Strategy Highlights. Report to the Planning Committee, April 16, 2008.
City of Richmond. (1989). Zoning and Development - Bylaw Government of Canada. (2002). Climate Change Plan for Canada.
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. (2004). 2004 Report Card: Fat is in the New Tobacco.
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. (2005). Federation Policy Statement on Obesity. Ottawa, June 2005.
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. (2006). Living with Cholesterol.
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. (2007). The Built Environment, Physical Activity, Heart Disease and Stroke.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. (1997). Density Bonusing: A Guide and Bylaw.
Government of British Columbia, March, 1997.
Provincial Health Services Authority. (2007a). Creating Healthier Built Environment in British Columbia. September 2007.
Provincial Health Services Authority. (2007b). British Columbia Health and Wellness Survey:
Descriptive Report. January 2007.
Secretariat for the Intersectoral Healthy Living Network. (2005). The Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy.
Statistics Canada. (2004). Major Causes of Death.
http://www43.statcan.ca/02/02b/02b_003_e.htm
Statistics Canada. (2005). Canadian Community Health Survey 2005.
Websites Reviewed
British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (2009). Active Communities program - Registered Communities. http://www.activecommunities.bc.ca/wp/about-us/registered-communities/
City of Richmond. Walk Richmond: About Walk Richmond.
http://www.richmond.ca/parksrec/sports/walkrichmond/walk.htm
Public Health Agency of Canada (2003). Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to healthy Active Living. Healthy Living Unit. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/paguide/start.html