2026-10-13T13:01:50Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34028103 2026-09-29T22:15:48Z category_33827 category_34319 category_33935 category_33752 category_34142 portal_1005 item_type_6 month_year_09_2026

Walkability in small rural towns: Citizen scientists identify investment in pedestrian infrastructure as key to promoting health and wellbeing K Jose (13435701) C Morley (7626371) G McGrath (9898325) M Davern (10000430) Anna Timperio (13097763) Y Laird (13400007) S Rowbotham (13491460) K Garvey (13376442) V Cleland (13304235) Health services and systems Human geography Public health Health sciences Human society Science & Technology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Public, Environmental & Occupational Health Built environment Physical activity Walking Walkability Active transport Participatory approaches PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY NEIGHBORHOOD WALKABILITY WALKING BEHAVIOR ADULTS Health Disparities Physical Activity Health Disparities and Racial or Ethnic Minority Health Research Rural Health 3 Good Health and Well Being Humans Environment Design Citizen Science Pedestrians Australia Rural Population Health Promotion Female Male Middle Aged Adult Safety Residence Characteristics Neighborhood Characteristics Introduction: The evidence base for how the physical environment hinders or supports walking for people living in rural and regional areas, where residents are at high risk for chronic disease and inactivity, is limited. This study investigated the built, physical environmental and spatial characteristics of small rural towns that influence walkability and identified community priorities for action. Methods: Using a mixed methods approach this study combined spatial assessments of walkability for 92 rural Australian towns with populations less than 6000 and citizen science approaches. Towns were ranked by a macro-level walkability score, grouped into deciles and one town from each decile selected for a micro-level walkability audit by citizen scientists. Community workshops in each of these towns identifed priorities for action. Audit data were analysed descriptively, workshop data and open-ended responses were analysed thematically. Results: Towns were categorised as low (N = 4), medium (N = 3) and high (N = 3) walkability with 87 citizen scientists participating in the project. Two major attributes emerged that negatively impacted actual and perceived walkability: traffic safety and pedestrian connectivity. Limited and poorly maintained pedestrian infrastructure underpinned these attributes. Citizen scientists identified strategies for improving walkability including lighting, signage, seating, maintenance of existing paths, and the creation of new trails. Conclusion: Maintenance of existing and investment in new pedestrian infrastructure is needed to address the traffic safety concerns and pedestrian connectivity challenges impacting walkability in these rural towns. Citizen scientists identified practical solutions to strengthen pedestrian infrastructure to enhance walkability, demonstrating the value of citizen-led planning and rural health promotion. 2026-09-01T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 10.26187/deakin.34028103 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Walkability_in_small_rural_towns_Citizen_scientists_identify_investment_in_pedestrian_infrastructure_as_key_to_promoting_health_and_wellbeing/34028103 CC BY 4.0