The Impact of Environmental Components on Citizens' Acceptance to Urban Health-Oriented Walkways (Case Study: Health Walkway- Shiraz)

In recent years, the low level of physical activity and its complications become to a challenge that are considered by health professionals. One of the aspects that is considered in this regard is to explore ways to promote health-oriented activities in the least time and at the least possible cost, during daily life. Health-oriented walkways are urban attractive pathways that, while creating   an "active connection" between urban daily destinations, also provide free physical activity and exercise in public and open spaces for people. The development of such spaces, in addition to its "functional" and "environmental" aspects, contributes significantly to improve the general health of city inhabitants. The purpose of this article is to investigate the impact of environmental quality components on people's acceptance of urban health-oriented walkways. This paper is an applied research and its approach is analytical-interpretive. In order to collect and analysis data; quantitative strategy, questionnaire and linear regression test were used. For this purpose, "Shiraz Health walkway" has been selected as a case study, after reviewing the literature, environmental indicators affecting the quality improvement of urban health-oriented walkways have been extracted and classified into four functional, environmental, physical-aesthetic and social categories. Then, by codifying a questionnaire in 21 items, the effect of environmental indicators as independent variables on the acceptance of these types of spaces was evaluated by 380 users of the intended walkway. The Results of data analysis by multiple linear regression test, show that "safety," " inclusiveness," and "visual qualities" have the most impact on citizens' acceptance of urban-oriented walkways. Paying attention to these indicators in strategic planning priority to improve the quality of these spaces can have an impact on promoting community health by increasing physical activity.