Walkability Essay

A walkability analysis is the study of an area in relation to analyzing the conditions of a built environment that can be traveled by foot. The term ‘walkability’ is used as a way to measure the lives of “foot people,” evaluating the questions of whether walkability influences crime, foreclosures, housing values in neighborhoods and health factors such as obesity. The spaces that neighborhoods exist in can be completely different from each other; some could have parks while other does not, including sidewalks, bike paths and more. Walking is the simplest and one of the most common forms of physical activity among adults, regardless of age, sex, ethnic group, education or income level. Even though walking is a simple form of exercise the obesity levels continue to rise in the United States. One of the most common ways to determine if a

This method was developed in the 1830s and is still the preferred method of determining someone’s health. This study examines the association between walkability and the levels of obesity throughout Philadelphia County. A study performed by Feng, J. et al. (2010) states “individual behavioral change can occur only in a supportive environment with accessible and affordable healthy food choices and opportunities for regular physical activity.” There have been studies where patterns of land use have been connected with a wide variety of environmental and health consequences (Frank, L. et al. 2009). When examining the neighborhoods in Philadelphia County, there are clear differences within the county and what they have access to based on where they are located. Having access to food locations, recreational areas like parks or nature trails and other features gives the