Pedestrian Walkways for Health in Shiraz, Iran, the Contribution of Attitudes, and Perceived Environmental Attributes

Mohammad Paydar, Asal Kamani Fard and Marzieh Khaghani
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Mohammad Paydar: Escuela de Arquitectura Temuco, Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad Mayor, Temuco 4780000, Chile
Asal Kamani Fard: Academic Researcher, Universidad Católica del Maule, San Miguel 3605, Talca, Chile
Marzieh Khaghani: Department of Urban Studies, Apadana Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz 7187985443, Iran

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-19

Abstract: Walking is important for improving physical activity and public health. The pedestrian walkways called Walkways for Health in Shiraz, Iran, present a high standard of aesthetic and design features which attract many people for the purpose of recreation. In addition, a significant percentage of Iranians suffer from mental disorders. The contribution of aesthetic and design features toward walking for recreation as well as mental health has been demonstrated in previous studies, which have focused on either one or the other of these aspects. This interdisciplinary research study aims to evaluate both of these aspects simultaneously. A quantitative approach including a survey questionnaire and multiple regression analysis was used to examine the objectives. The contributions of walking attitudes and several perceived environmental attributes to the attractiveness for walking and to general/mental health were determined, which suggested the need for new arrangements of the visual sequences and social setting along these walkways. In addition, the observation that younger people suffer are more affected by mental health disorders was one of the most challenging findings. The policy makers of this city could apply the findings of this study to these pedestrian walkways in order to improve the attractiveness for walking as well as general and mental health.

Keywords: attractiveness for walking; mental health; perceived environmental attributes; walking with others; walking attitudes; walking for recreation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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