Abstract:
Walking, aside from mobility is also recognized as a means to stay physically fit while increasing social interaction, promoting community wellbeing and reducing stress on the environment. This has thus led to a growing area of study focused on the role of the physical environment in promoting the activity of walking. However, not many researches are done with reference to micro environmental features. There is even fewer evidence which suggests that associations between walkability and walking may vary according to different ages. This study argues that walking can be influenced by micro environmental features but preference for environmental features are likely to differ across different age and gender groups. Data on the preference were collected through questionnaire survey from three different age group with the use of manipulated models of pedestrian path. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Amongst the 21 micro environmental variables derived, the preference of ‘engaging nature’, ‘colourful signs’ and ‘wall painting’, decrease when age increases whereas ‘water faucets’, ‘presence of people’ and ‘surface condition of the footpath’, increases with age. Features such as ‘wide path’, ‘separation of traffic’ and ‘vegetation’ were preferred mostly by Children and Elderly. The findings of this study help understand how micro environmental factors can influence user perceptions of quality, this will further help planners, architect and health workers to understand pedestrian’s preference and design paths that not only influence walking in all age groups but also be enjoyed by all.
