Rethinking walkability and developing a conceptual definition of active living environments to guide research and practice

Authors

Melissa Tobin, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of New-foundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Samantha Hajna, MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Kassia Orychock, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Nancy Ross, Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
Megan DeVries, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of New-foundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Paul J. Villeneuve, Carleton University
Lawrence D. Frank, The University of British Columbia
Gavin R. McCormack, Cumming School of Medicine
Rania Wasfi, Université McGill
Madeleine Steinmetz-Wood, Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
Jason Gilliland, Department of Geography, Western University, London, ON, Canada
Gillian L. Booth, University of Toronto
Meghan Winters, Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Yan Kestens, École de Santé Publique de L’Université de Montréal (ESPUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Kevin Manaugh, Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
Daniel Rainham, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Lise Gauvin, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de L’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
Michael J. Widener, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto - St. George, Toronto, Canada
Nazeem Muhajarine, University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine
Hui Luan, Department of Geography, College of Arts and Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
Daniel Fuller, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of New-foundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 3-7-2022

URL with Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12747-3

Abstract

Background

Walkability is a popular term used to describe aspects of the built and social environment that have important population-level impacts on physical activity, energy balance, and health. Although the term is widely used by researchers, practitioners, and the general public, and multiple operational definitions and walkability measurement tools exist, there are is no agreed-upon conceptual definition of walkability.

Method

To address this gap, researchers from Memorial University of Newfoundland hosted “The Future of Walkability Measures Workshop” in association with researchers from the Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) in November 2017. During the workshop, trainees, researchers, and practitioners worked together in small groups to iteratively develop and reach consensus about a conceptual definition and name for walkability. The objective of this paper was to discuss and propose a conceptual definition of walkability and related concepts.

Results

In discussions during the workshop, it became clear that the term walkability leads to a narrow conception of the environmental features associated with health as it inherently focuses on walking. As a result, we suggest that the term Active Living Environments, as has been previously proposed in the literature, are more appropriate. We define Active Living Environments (ALEs) as the emergent natural, built, and social properties of neighbourhoods that promote physical activity and health and allow for equitable access to health-enhancing resources.

Conclusions

We believe that this broader conceptualization allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how built, natural, and social environments can contribute to improved health for all members of the population.