First Advisor

Lisa K. Bates

Term of Graduation

Summer 2024

Date of Publication

7-10-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Urban Studies

Department

Urban Studies and Planning

Language

English

Subjects

Affordable housing, Grocery shopping behaviors, Physical accessibility, Subjective accessibility

Physical Description

1 online resource (vii, 206 pages)

Abstract

Existing studies underscore the complexity of urban accessibility, defined by a range of factors, including the city's physical layout and infrastructure as well as the subjective perceptions and experiences of its inhabitants. As urban areas continue to grow and diversify, gaining a comprehensive understanding of these varied interactions is imperative. This broader context highlights the necessity of investigating the interplay between physical and subjective accessibility, aiming to illuminate the specific challenges and opportunities faced by these communities in accessing necessary services. This study explored the relationship between physical and subjective accessibility and their consequential impact on grocery shopping behaviors among affordable housing residents. It offers an in-depth analysis that unveiled the complex interplay of urban mobility and lifestyle choices within the context of grocery shopping.

The study surveyed 306 affordable housing residents in Oakland to analyze grocery shopping frequency, the variety of stores visited, and travel distances. Results indicated that physical accessibility, specifically enhanced walkability, directly correlated with more frequent shopping trips and a tendency to shop closer to home, while higher transit accessibility appeared to have minimal impact on these behaviors. However, positive perceptions of public transit were associated with shorter travel distances and visits to fewer stores. Further analysis on the transportation mode choice showed that both physical and subjective accessibility as key factors encouraged walking over driving for grocery shopping. Moreover, subjective accessibility as a latent construct mediated the relationship between physical accessibility and various shopping behaviors, with the exception of shopping frequency and choice of using public transit. The decision to use public transit interplayed a wider range of factors, such as service reliability and safety concerns. Interviews with 30 participants provided deeper insights into the underlying reasons for these decisions, highlighting how individual shopping experiences and perceptions shaped behavior.

This research also investigated how subjective and physical accessibility jointly influenced grocery shopping patterns across different neighborhood types. It revealed that individuals in neighborhoods with lower walkability levels were inclined to visit a wider selection of grocery stores, in contrast to their counterparts in more walkable areas, who tended to shop more often but at fewer stores. Notably, residents in higher-income areas did not always perceive greater accessibility, even when the physical accessibility level was comparable, highlighting the role of subjective experiences and expectations in shaping subjective accessibility. This study calls for a comprehensive planning approach that integrates both physical and subjective aspects of accessibility, emphasizing the enhancement of walkability, the improvement of public transit systems, and the addressing of safety concerns. As Oakland and similar cities transition into the post-pandemic era, the findings stress the critical need to rethink public transit and urban infrastructure to adapt to changing resident needs. Addressing the intertwined challenges of safety, homelessness, and gentrification requires integrated strategies that fostered sustainable, inclusive urban environments.

Rights

© 2024 Huijun Tan

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

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42498

Download

Share

COinS