Promoting walking is an effective way to increase population levels of
physical activity.
To increase walking, a whole-of-community approach is required that
combines multiple-level strategies: public education, changes to the built
environment and strategies that create a positive social environment.
Walking for recreation and walking for transport are influenced by different
features of the environment. Walking for transport is associated with living
in neighbourhoods that have connected street networks, good access
to destinations and public transport, and higher residential densities.
Neighbourhood aesthetics and access to facilities, parks and beaches tend to
be associated with increased walking for recreation.
There are considerable opportunities for the health and other sectors
to collaborate to promote walking and improve the walkability of
neighbourhoods. This includes advocating the need for healthy planning
policies for new developments; educating state and local governments,
developers and planners about the built environment features that facilitate
walking; and promoting walking to the general public.
