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Walkability and Greenness Do Not Walk Together: Investigating Associations between Greenness and Walkability in a Large Metropolitan City Context

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  • Faysal Kabir Shuvo

    (Centre for Urban Transitions, Level 1 EW Building Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia)

  • Soumya Mazumdar

    (South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales Medicine, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
    Population Health Intelligence, Population Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia)

  • S. M. Labib

    (MRC Epidemiology Unit, Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of Cambridge, Clifford Allbutt Building, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK)

Abstract

Background: The existing environment literature separately emphasizes the importance of neighborhood walkability and greenness in enhancing health and wellbeing. Thus, a desirable neighborhood should ideally be green and walkable at the same time. Yet, limited research exists on the prevalence of such “sweet spot” neighborhoods. We sought to investigate this question in the context of a large metropolitan city (i.e., Sydney) in Australia. Methods: Using suburb level normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), percentage urban greenspace, Walk Score ® (Walk Score, Seattle, WA, USA), and other data, we explored the global and local relationships of neighborhood-level greenness, urban green space (percent park area) with walkability applying both non-spatial and spatial modeling. Results: We found an overall negative relationship between walkability and greenness (measured as NDVI). Most neighborhoods (represented by suburbs) in Sydney are either walkable or green, but not both. Sweet spot neighborhoods that did exist were green but only somewhat walkable. In addition, many neighborhoods were both less green and somewhat walkable. Moreover, we observed a significant positive relationship between percentage park area and walkability. These results indicate walkability and greenness have inverse and, at best, mixed associations in the Sydney metropolitan area. Conclusions: Our analysis indicates an overall negative relationship between greenness and walkability, with significant local variability. With ongoing efforts towards greening Sydney and improving walkability, more neighborhoods may eventually be transformed into becoming greener and more walkable.

Suggested Citation

  • Faysal Kabir Shuvo & Soumya Mazumdar & S. M. Labib, 2021. "Walkability and Greenness Do Not Walk Together: Investigating Associations between Greenness and Walkability in a Large Metropolitan City Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-15, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4429-:d:540840
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Deirdre Pfeiffer & Meagan M. Ehlenz & Riley Andrade & Scott Cloutier & Kelli L. Larson, 2020. "Do Neighborhood Walkability, Transit, and Parks Relate to Residents’ Life Satisfaction?," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 86(2), pages 171-187, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle C. Kondo & Erica Felker-Kantor & Kimberly Wu & Jeanette Gustat & Christopher N. Morrison & Lisa Richardson & Charles C. Branas & Katherine P. Theall, 2022. "Stress and Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Neighborhood Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Qikang Zhong & Bo Li & Tian Dong, 2024. "Building sustainable slow communities: the impact of built environments on leisure-time physical activities in Shanghai," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-21, December.
    3. Bruno Jardim & Miguel de Castro Neto, 2022. "Walkability Indicators in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-24, September.

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