Sponsor
Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning
First Advisor
Jason Newsom
Date of Publication
Fall 12-19-2016
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Urban Studies
Department
Urban Studies and Planning
Language
English
Subjects
Walking -- Social aspects, Walking -- Age factors, Pedestrian areas, Neighborhoods -- Oregon -- Portland -- Case studies
DOI
10.15760/etd.3306
Physical Description
1 online resource (ix, 138 pages)
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to explore, through a social ecological framework, the multifaceted effects of the neighborhood environment by investigating how dimensions of both the built environment and the neighborhood social context may interact to influence walking. Aesthetics, land use mix, crime, and pedestrian infrastructure were considered with respect to built environment walkability, and the neighborhood social context was conceptualized using measures of both social cohesion and social interaction with neighbors. This research used data from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-funded study of 748 adults (18 years of age and older) residing in the Lents neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. Through a series of both multiple linear and logistic regression models, the analyses examined the specific pathways by which social interaction with neighbors, social cohesion, and age influenced the relationship between the built environment and walking behavior. Results suggest that both social interaction and social cohesion but not age moderate the effects of the built environment on walking. There was evidence of mediation, as well, for both social interaction and social cohesion. The implications of these findings for future research and policy are discussed.
Rights
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/18986
Recommended Citation
Luhr, Gretchen Allison, "The Effects of Frequency of Social Interaction, Social Cohesion, Age, and the Built Environment on Walking" (2016). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 3325.
https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.3306