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Table 1 Built and social environment features with evidence of association with physical activity

From: Co-benefits of designing communities for active living: an exploration of literature

Setting

Feature

Description

Reference

Open Spaces/Parks/Trails

Design features

Size, amenities, physical activity facilities

[18-21]

Presence/proximity

Existence of and distance to

[6,18,22]

Trails

Proximity to and design of

[6,20]

Programs, promotion, and events

Park-based programming

[19]

Park incivilities/civilities

Existence or lack of graffiti, litter, anti-social behavior (public drinking, loitering)

[20,23,24]

Public gardens

Presence

[19]

Urban Design/Land Use

Density

Population and housing density

[6,18,22]

Mixed land use

Mix of destinations, distance to destinations

[6,18,22]

Streetscale pedestrian design

Including buffers between street and sidewalk, building set-back from sidewalk, form based codes, street lights, etc.

[10,25]

Greenery

Street trees/shrubbery, gardens

[18,22]

Incivilities

Graffiti, vacant/dilapidated buildings, litter, anti-social behavior (public drinking, loitering)

[18,23,24]

Accessibility & street connectivity

Density of intersections in street network

[18,20,26]

Transportation

Pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure

Sidewalks, bike lanes/paths, bike parking

[6,18,22,25]

Crosswalk markings

Crosswalk and intersection quality

[25,27]

Traffic calming

Speed bumps, curb-cuts, road diet, other engineering infrastructure

[27,28]

Public transportation

Proximity to or density of bus, train stops

[6,20,22]

Traffic speed/volume

 

[18]

Safe routes to school

Engineering, programming, promotion and events

[6,21]

Ciclovia/play streets

Opening streets for walking, bicycling, rolling, play

[26,29]

Managed parking

Restricted parking access

[30]

Schools

School siting

Location of school, distance from residences (suburban, urban, rural)

[31]

Recreation facilities

Physical education (PE) facilities and equipment, presence of PE teachers

[32,33]

Shared use agreements

Community use of school facilities for physical activity

[33,34]

Buildings/Workplaces

Building siting

Distance to residences, accessibility by public transit

[35]

Mixed land use around worksite

Mix of destinations, distance to destinations

[6,18,22]

Building site design

Design of property that building sits upon with physical activity options

[35]

Building design

Stair design, exercise equipment presence, shower/locker presence, skip-stop elevators

[35,36]

Worksite physical activity policies and programs

Exercise classes, discounted gym membership, active transportation promotion policies, parking cash out programs, point-of-decision prompts

[37,38]

Workplace furniture design

Sit-stand desks

[39]