In this paper, we explore different conceptualizations for representing neighborhoods in residential location choice models, and describe three alternative ways for constructing operational units to represent neighborhoods. In particular, we examine the possibility of using the census units to represent the hierarchical ‘fixed neighborhood’ definition, and the circular units and network bands t...

BACKGROUND Recent research highlights the importance of environment as a determinant of physical activity; however, evidence among Japanese is sparse. The aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived neighborhood environment and neighborhood walking for multiple purposes among Japanese. METHODS We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study of 1461 Japanese adult...

BACKGROUND Physical activity (PA) has numerous health benefits, but older adults live mostly sedentary lifestyles. The physical and social neighborhood environment may encourage/dissuade PA. In particular, neighborhood crime may lead to feeling unsafe and affect older adults' willingness to be physically active. Yet, research on this topic is still inconclusive. Older population, probably the a...

Objectives. This study examines which of five neighborhood conditions help account for racial differences in social networks. Methods. The data set is the Urban Poverty and Family Life Survey, a survey of blacks, whites, Mexicans, and Puerto Ricans clustered in Chicago Census tracts, matched to 1990 Census data. I estimate HGLM models predicting five indicators of social isolation and five indi...

BACKGROUND Numerous cross-sectional studies have examined neighborhood effects on health. Residential selection in adulthood has been stressed as an important cause of selection bias but has received little empirical attention, particularly its determinants from the earlier life course. The present study aims to examine whether neighborhood, family, school, health behaviors and health in adoles...

the neighborhood is a major factor in urbanism where habitation is characterized.in iranian traditional cities, the concept of neighborhood demonstrates the values of well-being, identity and sociability. neighborhoods can be approached into the following ways: external view that includes official boundaries, issues related to urban development and urban management. internal view that is based ...

This study examined the spatial, socioeconomic status (SES), and temporal patterns of ambient air pollution in Accra, Ghana. Over 22 months, integrated and continuous rooftop particulate matter (PM) monitors were placed at a total of 11 residential or roadside monitoring sites in four neighborhoods of varying SES and biomass fuel use. PM concentrations were highest in late December and January,...

The sensitivity of spatial analytic results to the way in which the areal units are defined is known as the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). Although to date a general solution to the problem does not yet exist, it has been suggested in the literature that the effects of the problem may be controllable within specific application contexts. The current study pursues this line of inquiry and...

With decades of economic growth and socio-economic transformation, China’s residential sector has seen rapid expansion in energy consumption, and is now the second largest energy consuming sector in the country. Faced with challenges of energy resource depletion and natural environment deterioration, China has been intensifying its efforts on energy conservation and emissions reductions in the ...