Design Quality Preferences for Walking in Youth in a Rural Setting

Studies demonstrate a relationship between built environment features and walking among youth. However, most research has focused on measuring objective features of the built environment, and fewer studies have looked at the more subjective features such as design quality that may influence how youth experience walking. Furthermore, many instruments that measure design quality are based on expert approaches; few incorporate user-based (youth) feedback. In this pilot study, the authors used focus group methods with a youth panel (2 groups with 16 total participants) to investigate user-based opinion of design quality variables of the built environment that impact the walking behaviour of youth. Findings indicate that youth preference for design features is linked to walking motivation and preferred walking context.