Tuesday, January 13, 2009

What Make a Good Neighborhood?

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology on the preferences of active independently living seniors (55 to 80)reports:

Positively related to perceived attractiveness of links were the following street characteristics: slopes and/or stairs, zebra crossings, trees along the route, front gardens, bus and tram stops, shops, business buildings, catering establishments, passing through parks or the city centre, and traffic volume. Litter on the street, high-rise buildings, and neighborhood density of dwellings were negatively related to perceived link attractiveness. Overall, the results suggest that three main aspects affect perceived attractiveness of streets for walking, namely tidiness of the street, its scenic value and the presence of activity or other people along the street.

I think this research complements my previous posts on the negative impact disorder has on neighborhoods.