Health professionals cite the lack of walking as a major factor in poor long term health, but do planners consider this in their schemes? But more importantly, do they consider the breadth and diversity of the population? This topic is of particular interest to Lisa Stafford and Claudia Baldwin. Their latest publication, Planning Walkable Neighborhoods: Are we overlooking diversity in ability and ages? tackles this issue head on. This article is available through Sage Journals and requires permissions for the full article.
Abstract: Despite growing numbers of studies on planning walkable neighborhoods, few have included people with diverse abilities across the age spectrum. This article demonstrates a need for more inclusion of human diversity in walkable neighborhoods research to better inform policy, planning, and design interventions that are spatially and socially just for all ages and all abilities. Our study addresses this through a critical review of the literature, highlighting existing research practices, known person–environment influences on walkability, and limitations within current knowledge. We recommend future integrated and inclusive research directions to encapsulate diversity of abilities and ages in walkable neighborhood studies.
Planning neighbourhoods for all ages and abilities: A multi-generational perspective by Stafford and Baldwin was posted previously.
Dr Lisa Stafford is a director of CUDA.