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<p>A critical factor in transit mode share analysis is the level of accessibility to transit services. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationships between accessibility and the built environment, and the use of transit. To do so, the proportion of transit users is modeled as a function of socio-economic characteristics, transit level of service, and built environment characteristics. While accessibility to transit has been the object of previous research, accessibility <em>by</em> transit is a factor that has received only limited attention in prior transit modal share research. The case study is the city of Hamilton, and the geographic unit of analysis is the Dissemination Area. A logistic model for proportions with a spatial filter (for spatial autocorrelation) and an over-dispersion parameter is found to provide the best fit and statistical properties. The results of analysis at the meso-scale show that accessibility by transit contributes positively to usage of transit. The possibility that factors at the micro-scale may also influence use of transit, suggests the development of a methodology, based on the use of spatial filtering, to systematically select walkability audit sites. The proposed methodology is demonstrated by means of a case study of neighborhoods in Hamilton. Statistical analysis of walkability audit information shows that the proposed selection strategy can be used to better target limited resources for field-based work, and produce valuable insights into the micro-level factors that may affect transit use.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

<p>Lack of physical activity participation is one of the greatest challenges facing health care providers and policy makers in Canada. Increases in health problems linked to inactive lifestyles, such as obesity, heart disease, and asthma, have led health promotion experts to engage Canadians to become more active. Despite these efforts, many Canadians remain inactive and at risk. Active travel (AT), defined in this study as walking for travel, is a key form of physical activity that continues to decline. This dissertation examines the decline of AT and role the individual, physical, and social environment have on AT.</p> <p>The individual environment is examined by providing evidence of how perceived barriers to walking influence the AT of population sub-groups by modeling each barrier comparing agreement versus disagreement. Results find females, senior citizens, and those with a higher body mass index identify the most barriers, while young adults, parents, those owning a driver’s license, and those owning a bus pass identify the fewest barriers.</p> <p>The physical environment is examined by providing an improved conceptualization of the built environment (BE). First, the BE-AT relationship is examined by comparing the relationship when measuring the BE using an aggregate method with a disaggregate approach of measurement. As a result, both aggregate and disaggregate BE variables are significant, but the aggregate approach hides the fact that only two of the five BE variables are significant when using the disaggregate approach. Second, the influence the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) has on the relationship between AT and the BE is investigated. The results find that the relationship between AT and the BE are influenced by scale zone effect of MAUP.</p> <p>The social environment is examined through the adoption of a conceptual framework from the physical activity literature that combines the social environment with individual and physical environments. A series of linear regression models evaluating the different components of the social environment find that only role models and neighborhood social cohesion influence AT, despite the fact that the social environment is significantly related to walking for exercise in the literature.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The opportunity to educate obese patients on healthy lifestyle practices and address habits related to chronic disease development is present among many physician office visits, though this opportunity is often overlooked (Flocke, Stange, & Goodwin, 1998). Understanding ways to improve the medical education and enhance the counseling skills of future physicians are of practical and personal relevance to current research. By improving the ways in which physicians counsel obese patients on weight management practices, the healthcare paradigm is poised to create an indelible mark on the wellbeing of our nation. Based on the need to address patient education and counseling, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physician attitudes and health behaviors on their overall communication and communication skills. The study surveyed 38 second-year medical residents at the New York University Bellevue School of Medicine using the Weight Management Survey developed by NYU researchers. Communication and counseling skills were measured using scores from Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) administered on the same day as the Weight Management Counseling survey. Results of the survey and the OSCEs were analyzed to investigate relationships between each survey item of three categories of questions (attitudes toward weight management counseling, attitudes toward obese patients, physician health habits) and each of two sets of OSCE scores (obesity-related communication skills and overall counseling skills). Results of the data analysis suggest significant relationships between physicians' personal health habits–specifically dietary habits–and obesity counseling–related communication skills. Results also suggest a significant relationship between physicians' attitudes toward obesity counseling-related communication skills and overall communication skills. Although an extensive body of evidence corroborates these relationships, future investigations should administer the surveys and methods used in this study in rural as well as other urban locations in order to improve variability among medical residents surveyed and assessed. These results also highlight the need to investigate more information about the learning environment of medical residents and also the working environment of physicians, in a variety of settings, in order to provide more depth to the body of literature suggesting providers' health habits improves patient health outcomes. / Ph. D.

The built environment can be structured to encourage or discourage social interaction and can have effects on children's cognitive, social, and emotional development as well as effects on elder's health and well-being. Knowing the profound influence of the built environment on elders (Garin, et al., 2014) and children (Bradford, 2012), the design of intergenerational spaces therefore has the potential to influence the interaction between elders and children engaged in intergenerational programming. Intergenerational care programs present opportunities for cooperation and exchange of skills, knowledge, and experience between people of different age groups (Bradford, 2012; Jarrott, 2011; Kaplan et al., 2002; Newman, 1997). Highlighting the common points and connections between architectural phenomenology and human development theories, this study presents the benefit of developmental theories being applied empirically in architectural design when creating intergenerational facilities in order to enhance the quality of intergenerational interactions. To address this goal, this study examines physical environments that can effectively and efficiently provide intergenerational services. The objectives of this study are to find out (1) whether or not the identification and adaptation of human development theories and architectural phenomenology inform the extension of normative design for intergenerational facilities and (2) in what ways do architectural conditions of an intergenerational space meet the needs of multiple age groups and facilitates interaction. The study uses grounded theory framework to develop a theory related to the influence of spatial design on the quality of intergenerational interactions. To accomplish this, a phenomenological description of different intergenerational spaces was conducted, followed by four to six hours of behavioral/observation mapping of the intergenerational space. The investigator interviewed the architect(s) to ascertain their main ideas and the purpose of designing the building, and the people (participants, educators, coordinators, and facilitators) involved with the intergenerational programs to indicate how the space influences intergenerational interaction. The result of reviewing and analyzing the collected data is a new model of design process grounded in theoretical tenets of personhood and contact theory and applicable for designing intergenerational facilities. / Ph. D.

It is easy to overlook the individual features that constitute a community, including types and mix of land use, lot sizes, building type, size and height, setbacks, street and sidewalk widths, parking requirements, and infrastructure, all of which are controlled and regulated by land use development codes, more commonly referred to as zoning. Zoning is the primary means communities employ to control and guide land use and development decisions affecting the physical form of these places. However, zoning is a rigid, legal framework that separates uses and prescribes standards without describing or even considering what development will or should look like. Disenchantment with conventional zoning methods combined with innovative new approaches that address current and emerging issues are now readily available to learn from and adapt. A number of these approaches focus on design and form rather than use alone. The intentions of code reform focus on the creation of better public space, pedestrian friendly streets and communities, mixing uses and reducing parking requirements, all of which can lead to increased physical activity and healthy communities. / Master of Landscape Architecture

This study analyses the perception of green bonds in relation to the ESRS (Environmental Sustainability Regulation Standards), in a high-interest-rate environment, using behavioural economic theory, in the case of Sweden and Norway. The research questions focus on nudging strategies, willingness to pay, and the case of Sweden being a full EU member and Norway being part of the EEA collaboration. (Green) Nudging is a concept in behavioural economic theory referring to interventions to direct individuals' behaviour in a desired way without the use of force. There are several regulatory initiatives in the EU, such as the ESRS and CSRD and the voluntary EU Green bond standard, with an impact on green bonds within the built environment, for example seen in the use of proceeds. Previous research shows that the application of behavioural economic concepts, such as nudging, can be intertwined with the positive effects on sustainable practices. The chosen methods for this study were both qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative part consisted of 14 semi-structured interviews (with open and closed questions) and a quantitative part of a numerical analysis based on the Likert-scale questionnaire. The two-sample t-tests in MATLAB show, at a significance level of 0.05, a failure to reject the null hypothesis, set as showing no difference between the respondents in Sweden and Norway – for a specific Likert-scale question. The one-sample t-test in MATLAB show, at a significance level of 0.05, a significant difference from a neutral answer score, of 4, regarding Likert-scale questions relating to various factors, such as default framing, feedback/goal-setting, and social (green) reference nudging. Five conclusions have been identified based on the findings. Firstly, Sweden and Norway share similar positive views towards working green and using green bonds. For example, linking GHG-emission metrics in the use-of-proceeds to convey (green) market signals. Secondly, the present green bond market seems slightly more developed in Sweden compared to Norway. However, the study did not analyse to which extent and maturation. Thirdly, the adaptation, implementation, and perceived positive effects of ESRS seem to be similar in both Sweden and Norway. Fourthly, concepts such as default framing, feedback/goal-setting, and social (green) reference nudging, seem to affect the use of green bonds in Sweden and Norway, which may imply green nudges are fruitful. Fifthly, a higher interest rate environment influences the interest and issuance of green bonds but is not the most central factor since there seems to be an interest in sustainable financed activities long-term. This study’s findings are positive from a long-term perspective regarding social and environmentally sustainable development. A greenium and a willingness to pay, WTP, for long-term sustainability, may suggest considering also the ecological, social, and societal, relative to the economic parameters. I am happy to recommend further research in this area, for example in behavioural economics and green nudging. / I denna studie undersöks synen på gröna obligationer i relation till EU-regelverket ESRS (Environmental Sustainability Regulation Standards) i den bebyggda miljön, i Sverige och Norge, med utgångspunkt i beteendeekonomisk teori. De frågeställningar som varit vägledande i arbetet rör nudging-strategier, willingness to pay (WTP, betalningsvilja) samt hur organisationer i Sverige, som fullvärdig EU-medlem, och i Norge, som del av EES-samarbetet, förhåller sig till gröna obligationer. Nudging (grön nudging) som koncept inom beteendeekonomisk teori refererar till åtgärder som används för att styra individers beteende i en önskvärd riktning utan tvång. I tidigare forskning uppmärksammas att flertalet regelverk inom EU som ESRS men även CSRD och EU Green bond standard, visat sig vara betydelsefulla för användningen av gröna obligationer, exempelvis vid affärsmässig kapitalanvändning (use of proceeds). I beteendeekonomisk teori framhålls vidare att nudging och betalningsvilja kan ha positiva effekter för miljö och hållbarhet. Både kvalitativ och kvantitativ metod har använts i studien. Den kvalitativa delen grundas i 14 semi-strukturerade intervjuer (med både öppna och slutna frågor). Den kvantitativa delen grundas i den numeriska analysen baserat på Likert-enkäten. Studiens resultat visar att beteendeekonomisk teori kan vara relevant för att förstå hur gröna obligationer kan användas för hållbara initiativ som rör bebyggd miljö, och återspeglas i respondenternas svar både i Sverige och Norge. De tvåsidiga t-testerna i MATLAB visar att det, på en 0.05 signifikansnivå, ej går att förkasta noll-hypotesen om att det inte föreligger någon skillnad mellan respondenter i Sverige och Norge – för en specifik fråga med Likert-skala – frågor relaterade till grön nudging (default/framing, social reference nudge) samt till betalningsvilja, WTP, för gröna initiativ. De ensidiga t-testerna visar, på en 0.05 signifikansnivå, en signifikant skillnad från neutral svarspoäng om 4, gällande de frågor med Likert-skala som relaterar till faktorer såsom default framing, feedback/goal-setting, and social (green) reference nudge. Fem slutsatser har dragits: (1) Sverige och Norge delar en positiv syn på användning av gröna obligationer. Exempelvis publiceras gröna marknadssignaler, mätvärden kring GHG-utsläpp, i affärsplaner, use of proceeds. (2) Nuvarande grön obligationsmarknad tycks vara något mer utvecklad i Sverige än i Norge. (3) Användning, mottagande, implementering och upplevd positiv effekt av ESRS är liknande i både Sverige och Norge. (4) Koncept som default framing, feedback/goal-setting och social (grön) referens nudging, tycks påverka användning av gröna obligationer i Sverige och Norge och kan vara initiativ i riktning mot en hållbart finansierad verksamhet. (5) En högre räntemiljö påverkar intresse och emission av gröna obligationer men är inte den mest centrala faktorn för gröna obligationer eftersom det ändå, trots förändringar i räntemiljö i både Sverige och Norge, bland annat föreligger en viss betalningsvilja (WTP), för en mer långsiktigt hållbar utveckling, miljömässigt och socialt. Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att synen på de nya policy- och regelverken sammanflätade med ESRS, är positiv, i både Sverige och Norge. En grön premie (greenium) och en WTP för en mer långsiktigt hållbar utveckling tyder också på att man bör ta hänsyn till inte endast ekonomiska parametrar utan även ekologiska, sociala och samhälleliga.

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / Porous concrete pavements have been used in the eastern United States to effectively manage storm water when used as an alternative to impervious surfaces. This paper reviewed a wide body of available literature and research to examine their potential to reduce runoff at the University of Arizona. This study found that their unique structural properties enable them to infiltrate and detain large volumes of water in a stone sub-base below the slab, filtering out many street related contaminants without the need to install additional infrastructure. Porous concrete surfaces may support green development in the southwest where water is both a sensitive and valuable resource. However, long-term structural durability, clogging potential due to dust, and maintenance requirements have yet to be fully understood in this region. This paper then summarizes critical factors that affect the performance of porous concrete and proposes a framework for future study to be conducted by the University of Arizona in a way that would reduce runoff to major campus roads, contribute to a better understanding of sustainable storm water management in the southwest, and demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship.