Demands for Walkable Neighborhoods among Middle-aged and Older Adults: Do They Differ by Community Settings and Age Groups?

ABSTRACT

Walkable communities are increasingly promoted for their health, social, and environmental benefits. However, the extent to which the demand or preference for walkable communities accords with various other housing demands across different populations is still questionable. Using data sets from two research projects focused on nonmetropolitan communities in Texas, this study examined to whom neighborhood walkability and safety are important when selecting a residence. It further explored environmental attributes that explained the differences in neighborhood preferences of older versus middle-age and urban versus rural home buyers. Multivariate logistic regressions showed that race/ethnicity, adiposity, personal attitudes, regional home locations, and residential experiences explained the odds of considering walkability and safety in residential selection. Environmental characteristics such as land uses, destinations, and perceived safety were differently valued among the subgroups of home buyers. Further efforts are needed to better understand diverse residential demands within the larger context of the community environment and demographic shift.

KEYWORDS:

• walkability
• safety
• residential consideration
• residential choice
• neighborhood environment

Acknowledgments

The authors used the survey data collected from two grants sponsored by the National Institute of Health (1R01HL103478-01A1; PI: Mark Doescher) and Scott & White Healthcare (S&W RGR 120803; PIs: Samuel N. Forjuoh, Chanam Lee, and Marcia G. Ory). The authors would like to thank the PIs and the research team of these two projects for granting permission to use the survey data for this study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeongjae Yoon

Jeongjae Yoon, PhD, is a former postdoctoral researcher in the Center for Health Systems and Design and the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. His current affiliation is the Urban Research Division at Korean Research Institute for Human Settlements in South Korea. His research focuses on neighborhood walkability and safety leading to location efficiency and residential satisfaction.

Chanam Lee

Chanam Lee, PhD, is a professor of landscape architecture and urban planning and a fellow in the Center for Health Systems and Design at Texas A&M University. Her research areas are in interdisciplinary and environmental approaches to promote walking and active living.