Date of Award
8-2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.U.R.P.
Degree Program
Urban and Regional Planning
Department
Planning and Urban Studies
Major Professor
Thompson, Michelle M.
Second Advisor
Parsons, Karen
Third Advisor
Renne, John
Abstract
This thesis intends to demonstrate how capital infrastructure investments can be targeted objectively, using the "Safe Routes to School" (SRTS) program for context. SRTS impacts physical activity, a determinant of childhood obesity by encouraging children’s regular active transportation use. This thesis supports the widespread implementation of SRTS and has developed the "Shelling Model" to objectively identify schools for programming. Accordingly, the "Shelling Model" aims to objectively identify physical and socio-economic environment variables impacting HISD-E middle school neighborhoods’ walkability. The "Shelling Model" is a first step in creating a walkability index for which pedestrian orientation levels can be identified and schools targeted. This model facilitates the identification of variables, providing insight into neighborhood walkability levels. Revealed by statistically significant variables, in combination with Walkscore and Catchment regression models’ respective 45.5 and 13.6 Adjusted R-Square values, the "Shelling" archetype proves a useful tool for investigating the walkability of HISD-E middle school neighborhoods.
Recommended Citation
Shelling, Chelsea O., "Assessing School Neighborhood Walkability: A Targeted Approach to Safe Routes to School Programming" (2010). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1204.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1204
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.