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The Study of Walking, Walkability and Wellbeing in Immersive Virtual Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Amit Birenboim

    (Department of Geography and the Human Environment, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel)

  • Pazit Ben-Nun Bloom

    (Department of Political Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Hila Levit

    (Department of Geography and the Human Environment, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel)

  • Itzhak Omer

    (Department of Geography and the Human Environment, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel)

Abstract

Recent approaches in the research on walkable environments and wellbeing go beyond correlational analysis to consider the specific characteristics of individuals and their interaction with the immediate environment. Accordingly, a need has been accentuated for new human-centered methods to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying environmental effects on walking and consequently on wellbeing. Immersive virtual environments (IVEs) were suggested as a potential method that can advance this type of research as they offer a unique combination between controlled experimental environments that allow drawing causal conclusions and a high level of environmental realism that supports ecological validity. The current study pilot tested a walking simulator with additional sensor technologies, including biosensors, eye tracking and gait sensors. Results found IVEs to facilitate extremely high tempo-spatial-resolution measurement of physical walking parameters (e.g., speed, number of gaits) along with walking experience and wellbeing (e.g., electrodermal activity, heartrate). This level of resolution is useful in linking specific environmental stimuli to the psychophysiological and behavioral reactions, which cannot be obtained in real-world and self-report research designs. A set of guidelines for implementing IVE technology for research is suggested in order to standardize its use and allow new researchers to engage with this emerging field of research.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:364-:d:475371
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Minou Weijs-Perrée & Gamze Dane & Pauline van den Berg, 2021. "Editorial for the Special Issue on “Experiencing the City: The Relation between Urban Design and People’s Well-Being”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-6, March.
    2. Haeryung Lee & Seung-Nam Kim, 2021. "Perceived Safety and Pedestrian Performance in Pedestrian Priority Streets (PPSs) in Seoul, Korea: A Virtual Reality Experiment and Trace Mapping," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Bojing Liao & Xiang Li, 2023. "Neighborhood Environment and Affective Walking Experience: Cluster Analysis Results of a Virtual-Environment-Based Conjoint Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Hongqidi Li & Wenyi Dong & Zhimeng Wang & Nuo Chen & Jianping Wu & Guangxin Wang & Ting Jiang, 2021. "Effect of a Virtual Reality-Based Restorative Environment on the Emotional and Cognitive Recovery of Individuals with Mild-to-Moderate Anxiety and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-30, August.
    5. Bojing Liao & Yifan Xu & Xiang Li & Ji Li, 2022. "Association between Campus Walkability and Affective Walking Experience, and the Mediating Role of Walking Attitude," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.

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