Vancouver’s Arbutus Greenway is already a well-used and beloved part of the city. Despite its evolving state, and even as the main design is heading for city council approval and funding at the July 11 meeting (starting at 0930), people are using it for lots of reasons.
A research team called INTERACT (@TeamInteractCA), 44 people strong, is turning its attention to the Greenway —among other places in other cities — from the health point of view.
The question they’re asking: what is the health impact of real world urban forms? The team hopes to provide big-data research to advance the science of building healthy cities.
I ran into this team from INTERACT yesterday, out recruiting volunteers for the study.
You can join this work, and INTERACT with the researchers. Some conditions apply — you need to be over 18 and live within 3 km of the Greenway (Main St. to Dunbar, roughly). And you’ll be asked to complete surveys over time, and to collect data via a smartphone or other device.
Among several major questions that are driving the research:
Is increased exposure to active transportation infrastructure associated with greater use of active transportation? Are changes in exposure to active transportation infrastructure associated with more physical activity, transport-related and overall?
How are urban form environments associated with well-being? How do individuals experience urban environments, and how does this relate to well-being? How do active transportation trips relate to feelings of well-being?
