A Study of Evaluation Structure of Neighborhood Walking Environments by the Elderly Residing around a Train Station

Abstract

Under the pressure of exceptionally rapid progress of aged society in Japan, walkable urban environments with reduced vehicle dependency have been attracting increasing attention not only because they would support a convenient and comfortable daily life of the elderly but also because they may potentially encourage physical activity and thus improve health of residents. This study aims to examine evaluation structure of neighborhood walking environments by the elderly through a survey conducted in an established residential area in Tokyo using a revised ANEWS questionnaire that takes into account characteristics of Japanese cities as well as walking behavior of the elderly.