The development of the Neighborhood Level Walkability Assessment Tool and some preliminary findings

Status: This talk is in preparation - details may change

Environmental audit tools have been widely used to collect objectively measured micro level built environmental data to access the relationship between built environment and physical activity. Most of the existing environment audit tools were designed and applied in developed cities in the Global North, involving dimensions of footpath characteristics, safety, aesthetics, destinations, etc. They are mostly applied to developed cities that usually have distinctive neighbourhood characteristics and more simple road structure. However, the cases of rapidly developing cities in the Global South are significantly different. This study aims to develop the Neighbourhood-Level Walkability Assessment Tool, which takes into account the specific features (culturally and physically) of the developing cities. Based on two stages of audit fieldwork in Shenzhen, China. The tool was designed, tested and modified. The process of the development of the audit tool and some preliminary findings will be presented.