Search

In this natural experiment, we investigated on-leash and off-leash policies as plausible influences on the behavior of dog-walkers in the City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Following policy-mandated public consultations, two of the four parks initially proposed by the City as sites for new off-leash areas retained on-leash designations. Within a year of creating off-leash areas in two parks, we observed more dog-walkers and improved compliance with dog-fouling in one case, but not in the other. Compared to the previous year, we also observed more stationary dog-walkers in both of these parks. Paradoxically, activity levels amongst dog-walkers – including while dogs were off-leash – remained highest for a park that retained an on-leash designation. Off-leash policies in urban parks could have positive as well as negative implications for public health. In addition to off-leash policies, factors that merit consideration regarding dog-walking and dog-fouling include implementation strategies, physical features, socio-demographic characteristics and modifications to park environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the association between objectively-assessed neighborhood walkability and local walking among adults. Two independent random cross-sectional samples of Calgary (Canada) residents were recruited. Neighborhood-based walking, attitude towards walking, neighborhood self-selection, and socio-demographic characteristics were captured. Built environmental attributes underwent a two-staged cluster analysis which identified three neighborhood types (HW: high walkable; MW: medium walkable; LW: low walkable). Adjusting for all other characteristics, MW (OR 1.40, p<0.05) and HW (OR 1.34, approached p<0.05) neighborhood residents were more likely than LW neighborhood residents to participate in neighborhood-based transportation walking. HW neighborhood residents spent 30-min/wk more on neighborhood-based transportation walking than both LW and MW neighborhood residents. MW neighborhood residents spent 14-min/wk more on neighborhood-based recreational walking than LW neighborhood residents. Neighborhoods with a highly connected pedestrian network, large mix of businesses, high population density, high access to sidewalks and pathways, and many bus stops support local walking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most walkability indices do not capture the topological structure of urban forms. Space syntax models these topological relationships. We estimated associations between the space syntax measure of street integration and walkability (SSW) and neighborhood-specific leisure (LW) and transportation (TW) walking among 4422 Canadian adults. Street integration and SSW were found to be positively associated with TW and LW participation in a usual week. A one-unit increase in SSW was associated with a 6-min increase in usual weekly minutes of TW. Street integration and SSW were also positively associated with TW participation in the last week. Higher street integration and walkability conceptualized using space syntax support neighborhood walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]