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Do parental perceptions of the neighbourhood environment influence children’s independent mobility? Evidence from Toronto, Canada

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Listed:
  • Raktim Mitra

    (Ryerson University, Canada)

  • Guy EJ Faulkner

    (University of Toronto, Canada)

  • Ron N Buliung

    (University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada)

  • Michelle R Stone

    (Dalhousie University, Canada)

Abstract

Children’s independent mobility (CIM), or a child’s freedom to explore their neighbourhood unsupervised, is important for their psychological development and potentially enables daily physical activity. However, the correlates of CIM remain under-studied particularly in terms of the influence of the neighbourhood environment. Within this context, children’s independent mobility in Toronto, Canada, was examined using linear regression and ordered logit models. Findings demonstrate that a higher level of CIM was correlated with more physical activity. Parental perceptions related to neighbourhood safety, stranger danger and sociability were associated with CIM. A child’s independent mobility was also correlated with age, sex, language spoken at home and parental travel attitudes. Interventions to increase CIM should focus on enhancing the neighbourhood social environment. Increasing the independent mobility of girls and of children with diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds are also worthy of particular research and policy attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Raktim Mitra & Guy EJ Faulkner & Ron N Buliung & Michelle R Stone, 2014. "Do parental perceptions of the neighbourhood environment influence children’s independent mobility? Evidence from Toronto, Canada," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(16), pages 3401-3419, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:51:y:2014:i:16:p:3401-3419
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098013519140
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fyhri, Aslak & Hjorthol, Randi, 2009. "Children’s independent mobility to school, friends and leisure activities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 17(5), pages 377-384.
    2. Zwerts, Enid & Allaert, Georges & Janssens, Davy & Wets, Geert & Witlox, Frank, 2010. "How children view their travel behaviour: a case study from Flanders (Belgium)," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 18(6), pages 702-710.
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    4. Raktim Mitra, 2013. "Independent Mobility and Mode Choice for School Transportation: A Review and Framework for Future Research," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 21-43, January.
    5. Mitra, Raktim & Buliung, Ron N., 2012. "Built environment correlates of active school transportation: neighborhood and the modifiable areal unit problem," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 51-61.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mitra, Raktim & Buliung, Ron N., 2015. "Exploring differences in school travel mode choice behaviour between children and youth," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 4-11.
    2. Ross, Timothy & Buliung, Ronald, 2019. "Access work: Experiences of parking at school for families living with childhood disability," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 289-299.
    3. Alireza Ermagun & David Levinson, 2015. "Intra-household Bargaining for School Trip Accompaniment of Children: A Group Decision Approach with Altruism," Working Papers 000131, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    4. Margareta Friman & Jessica Westman & Lars E. Olsson, 2019. "Children’s Life Satisfaction and Satisfaction with School Travel," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(4), pages 1319-1332, August.
    5. Broberg, Anna & Sarjala, Satu, 2015. "School travel mode choice and the characteristics of the urban built environment: The case of Helsinki, Finland," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 1-10.

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