Assessing and developing a walkability index targeted to older Australians in regional cities (2018-2019)

Funding

Family & Community Services – Liveable Communities Grants, $30,000

Researchers/Investigators

Dr Rachel Whitsed and Dr Ana Horta in collaboration with council staff at Albury City

Research Theme

Rural and regional communities

Description

The aim of this project is to improve walking accessibility (as a component of active transport and exercise) for older people in regional cities in NSW. Walkability is an important component of liveability and healthy ageing, and has the potential to improve quality of life. While indices to measure the walkability of neighbourhoods do exist, they are general developed for metropolitan cities and do not take the unique needs of older people into account.

Using the regional city of Albury as a case study, the researchers will develop a walkability index for older people, producing a detailed map of the level of walkability throughout the city and rural surrounds.

They will do this by linking the information from existing spatial data with the data they collect from volunteer participants who will wear a GPS tracking device over a two week period, allowing the researchers to observe when and where participants  travel, including walking. http://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/walkability

Outcomes

Mapping and analysing walkability will helps councils to better address this important component of liveability, allowing increased access to social and economic life and improved health and wellbeing for older regional and rural Australians.

Contact

Dr Rachel Whitsed Email

Albury campus

Dr Ana Horta     Email

Albury Campus

August 2018