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Moving beyond walkability: On the potential of health geography

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  • Andrews, Gavin J.
  • Hall, Edward
  • Evans, Bethan
  • Colls, Rachel

Abstract

In the context of the substantial volume of research focused in recent years on the walkability of the built environment, this report presents some initial thoughts on what the sub-discipline of health geography might be able to contribute, beyond what it currently does, to existing debates. It is posited that at one level this contribution could be critical yet constructive, focussing on the limitations of current epistemological and methodological approaches but offering ideas on how they and others might be developed. At another level, given the limited scope of existing walkability research, a further contribution could be to pay attention to different forms of embodiment, movement activities, their relationships to health, and the places, experiences, agency and cultures involved.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrews, Gavin J. & Hall, Edward & Evans, Bethan & Colls, Rachel, 2012. "Moving beyond walkability: On the potential of health geography," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(11), pages 1925-1932.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:75:y:2012:i:11:p:1925-1932
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.08.013
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    3. Coen, Stephanie E. & Rosenberg, Mark W. & Davidson, Joyce, 2018. "“It's gym, like g-y-m not J-i-m”: Exploring the role of place in the gendering of physical activity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 29-36.
    4. Badland, Hannah & Pearce, Jamie, 2019. "Liveable for whom? Prospects of urban liveability to address health inequities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 94-105.
    5. Battista, Geoffrey A. & Manaugh, Kevin, 2018. "Stores and mores: Toward socializing walkability," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 53-60.
    6. Carter, Eric D., 2015. "Making the Blue Zones: Neoliberalism and nudges in public health promotion," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 374-382.
    7. Arranz-López, Aldo & Soria-Lara, Julio A & López-Escolano, Carlos & Pueyo Campos, Ángel, 2017. "Retail Mobility Environments: A methodological framework for integrating retail activity and non-motorised accessibility in Zaragoza, Spain," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 92-103.
    8. Ottoni, Callista A. & Sims-Gould, Joanie & Winters, Meghan & Heijnen, Myrthe & McKay, Heather A., 2016. "“Benches become like porches”: Built and social environment influences on older adults’ experiences of mobility and well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 33-41.
    9. Andrews, Gavin J. & Chen, Sandra & Myers, Samantha, 2014. "The ‘taking place’ of health and wellbeing: Towards non-representational theory," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 210-222.
    10. Mariano Gallo & Mario Marinelli, 2020. "Sustainable Mobility: A Review of Possible Actions and Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-39, September.
    11. Amit Birenboim & Pazit Ben-Nun Bloom & Hila Levit & Itzhak Omer, 2021. "The Study of Walking, Walkability and Wellbeing in Immersive Virtual Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, January.
    12. Fernando Fonseca & George Papageorgiou & Simona Tondelli & Paulo Ribeiro & Elisa Conticelli & Mona Jabbari & Rui Ramos, 2022. "Perceived Walkability and Respective Urban Determinants: Insights from Bologna and Porto," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, July.

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