This research investigated the association of street network connectivity differences across travel modes with travel behaviour – mode choice, distance traveled and number of trips. To date research on travel behaviour relationships with urban form has not developed empirical evidence on street designs as distinct networks for walking and driving. A street network having greater connectivity and continuity for the pedestrian mode of travel vis-à-vis the vehicular network, like the Fused Grid, will likely encourage more walking. This hypothesis was investigated using a quasi-experimental approach within a rational utility behavioural framework. Local travel behaviour is theorized to be affected by desire to access goods and services (broadly termed, ‘activities’) in the community where people live. Using inferential statistics, the research tested for relationships between measured street patterns and self-reported local travel by King County, WA households. The main variables were ratios (walking : driving) of network connectivity and density, in the vicinity of travel survey households. Demographics and household characteristics, as well as other behaviourally influential urban form factors (residential density, proximity of destinations, etc.), were included in regression models, allowing control for confounding factors. Findings suggest that street networks with connectivity that provides better routing for one mode of transportation over others encourage more travel by the favored mode. The regression model demonstrated that a change from a pure small-block grid to a modified grid (i.e. Fused Grid) can result in an 11.3% increase in odds of a home-based trip being walked. The modified street pattern like a Fused Grid is also associated with a 25.9% increase, over street patterns with equivalent route directness for walking and driving, in the odds a person will meet recommended levels of physical activity. Finally, the Fused Grid’s 10% increase in relative connectivity for pedestrians is associated with a 23% decrease in local vehicle travel distance (VMT), and its improved continuity is associated with increased walking trips and distance. Conclusions: Other factors being equal, residential street networks with either more direct routing for pedestrians or more pedestrian facilities relative to vehicular network are associated with improved odds of walking and reduced odds of driving.

Background: Street-involved youth are known to be at a greatly increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, the role that environmental and structural factors play in driving disease transmission risk among this population has not been thoroughly examined. Methods: The At Risk Youth Study (ARYS) is a prospective cohort of homeless and street-involved youth between the ages of 14 and 26. From September 2005 to October 2006, participants completed a baseline questionnaire which elicited information regarding sexual activity, injection and non-injection drug use, addiction treatment experience, encounters with police and security guards, and health service utilization. Environmental and structural correlates of number of recent sex partners were identified using quasi-Poisson regression. Factors independently associated with consistent condom use were also examined using logistic regression. Results: Among 529 participants, 415 (78.4%) were sexually active during the past six months, of whom 253 (61.0%) reported multiple sex partners and 288 (69.6%) reported inconsistent condom use during this time period. In multivariate logistic regression, homelessness and self-reported structural barriers to accessing health services were inversely associated with consistent condom use. In multivariate analysis, living in a shelter, hostel, or single room occupancy hotel was positively associated with greater numbers of recent sex partners. Structural factors that were associated with number of sex partners included having a warrant or area restriction that affects access to health services, and for males, being accosted by the police. Conclusions: Unstable housing, homelessness, and structural factors related to the criminalization and displacement of street-involved youth were associated with an increased risk of HIV and STI transmission, even after extensive adjustment for sociodemographic and individual level characteristics. These findings suggest that both environmental and structural factors influence the spread of HIV and STIs, and point to the need for environmental-structural interventions to reduce the burden of these diseases among this population.

This study explored the experiences of street-involved youth who have received mental health services for symptoms of methamphetamine-induced psychosis. Specifically, the study investigated what factors were perceived by participants to promote and hinder access to mental health services. The researcher interviewed nine street youth at Covenant House, a Vancouver agency serving street-involved youth. Interview data and the researcher's field notes were coded and analyzed within a grounded theory paradigm. Youth discussed formal and informal sources of help and routes to both. Two distinct perspectives to treatment were identified: an addictions perspective and a concurrent disorders perspective. Respondents outlined the typical pathway into methamphetamine use and described barriers and supports for accessing services while undergoing drug-induced psychosis. Significant factors that encouraged access to services were positive relationships with helpers, strong peer supports, and the use of involuntary services when necessary. Identified barriers included fear of being stigmatized, lack of problem awareness, and systemic barriers. The current research proposed a model of access to mental health services that positions outreach and frontline workers as key figures to mediating street youth's access to appropriate services.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the housing environment faced by street youth in the City of Vancouver. It seeks to understand the housing needs of street youth, to identify the barriers encountered in accessing housing, to identify and evaluate their housing options, and to examine the provincial and municipal government roles in providing housing for street youth. This thesis defines a street youth as an individual between the ages of 12 and 18 who has either chosen to leave or been thrown out of their family home for a minimum of two days, is involved in street related activities, and sleeps in inappropriate accommodations or has no shelter at all. The terms street youth and homeless youth are used interchangeably because the qualities which are absent from an individual’s living environment - privacy, security, stability and access to support services - are also absent from the various living situations in which street youth find themselves. The methodology undertaken to complete this thesis is a literature review and a case study of Vancouver’s street youth. The literature review provides background information on the general subject of homelessness, and specifically, the reasons why youth choose to live a life on the street and the lifestyle they lead once on the street. The empirical component of the research consists of interviews with service providers and street youth. The interview results clearly reveal that two interrelated problem areas exist in the broad issue of street youth and housing. These areas are first, the state care system, both its form and manner of service provision, and second, accessibility to market housing - social, economic and political factors which affect a youth’s ability to secure housing. An issue common to both problem areas, and perpetuating the problems in each, is the lack of value and respect society gives to youth. A ‘continuum of housing’ model is proposed which takes into account the family backgrounds conmion to many street youth, the types of lifestyle they lead while on the street, and the problems associated with state-provided and market housing. In addition, recommendations are provided which centre on advocacy and service-coordinating bodies, attitude changes, additional housing facilities, landlord-tenant relationships, government assistance eligibility criteria, and funding.

This thesis looks to expand on the ways in which urban design can influence and foster the development of street culture. Gentrification has resulted in the deterioration of many cities that were well known for their rich and vibrant street culture. In particular, Harlem, New York City has experienced decay in its tradition of having a strong and lively street presence. With its busiest street lined with numerous vacant lots, W 125th St in Harlem is the ideal testing ground for a project that breathes life into a dying street culture. Museums have the ability to spark urban regeneration and vitality. Taking cues from examples of successful museums, this project breaks free of the building envelope to create spaces that encourage and promote street culture activities. With a program that is heavily based in street and popular culture, a new cultural center provides support for this urban regeneration project.

Genealogical arguments which aim to undermine some aspect of ethics by referring to its supposed evolutionary origin have become both more common and more philosophically substantive in recent years. In this thesis, I present what I take to be the strongest evolutionary debunking argument aimed against the meta-ethical view of moral realism. Specifically, I present Sharon Street’s Darwinian Dilemma. I then consider the strongest responses given in defense of moral realism by Derek Parfit and Russ Shafer-Landau. I give reason to reject most of Parfit’s and Shafer-Landau’s responses and then suggest that due to a lack of justification for our moral beliefs (if moral realism is true) we ought to have a lower level of credence in them.

No description available.

Background: Street connectivity, an important aspect of the built environment, refers to the directness of links and the density of connections in road networks. Street connectivity of youth’s neighborhoods may impact upon both physical activity patterns and the occurrence of physical activity injuries in street locations. Objectives: The objectives of the two studies comprising this thesis were to examine, among Canadian youth in grades 6 to 10: (1) the relationship between street connectivity and physical activity, and (2) the relationship between street connectivity and physical activity injuries occurring in the street. Methods: 9,717 youth in grades 6-10 from 188 schools across Canada participated in the 2006 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. A street connectivity composite measure was gathered objectively using a geographic information system database, and was based on intersection density, average block length, and connected node ratio in a 5km radius around each school. Physical activity was measured via students’ self-reported hours of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week outside of school hours. Injury was measured via students’ self-reports to questions regarding whether they had suffered an injury while playing in the street in the past 12 months. Multi-level regression analyses were used to examine the relations between street connectivity and both physical activity and injury. Results: Compared to students living in the highest street connectivity quartile, those in the second (Relative Risk (RR) 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.35), third (RR 1.25; 95% CI 1.13-1.37), and fourth (lowest; RR 1.21; 95% CI 1.09-1.34) quartiles reported considerably higher levels of physical activity outside of school hours. Conversely, students living in neighbourhoods with low street connectivity reported higher occurrence of physical activity injuries occurring in the street relative to students living in highly connected neighbourhoods (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.47; 95% CI 0.94 -2.31). Conclusions: Neighbourhoods with low street connectivity may be conducive to youth physical activity, yet they may also result in an increased risk of injury. Further, the relationship between street connectivity and physical activity reported in Canadian youth is not consistent with the relationship reported for adult populations. This variation requires consideration in applied health policy. / Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2010-09-14 15:26:49.565

This report is about how accessibility in Eskilstuna's central trade street Kungsgatan can be improved, based on my background as spatial configuration designer, and by Eskilstuna's residents' opinions. In this report I explain what methods I have used, and how I attained my results. The goal of this project was to create ideal accessibility in the central part of Kungsgatan in Eskilstuna. Since Fristadstorget was rebuilt, and since the city is growing in terms of housing and residents, accessibility will in the near future be even more limited for visitors than it is today. My design proposal is designed based on street conditions, residents' opinions and Eskilstuna's existing ideas. / Denna rapport handlar om hur framkomligheten på Eskilstunas centrala handelsgata Kungsgatan kan förbättras utifrån min bakgrund som rumslig gestaltare samt efter Eskilstunas invånares åsikter. I rapporten redovisar jag vilka metoder jag använt mig av och hur jag kommit fram till mitt resultat. Syftet med arbetet var att skapa den ultimata framkomligheten på den centrala delen av Kungsgatan i Eskilstuna. Genom att Fristadstorget byggs om och innerstaden växer i form av bostäder och invånare så kommer framkomligheten bli än mer begränsad för besökarna än vad den är idag. Designförslaget är utformat utifrån gatans förutsättningar, invånarnas åsikter samt Eskilstuna kommuns befintliga idéer.

Background: The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) and to examine the role of survival sex in sexual risk among street-involved youth in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Methods: Between 1999 and 2003, 743 Winnipeg street youth were interviewed in three separate cohorts as part of a national multi-centred study by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Results: Among the 673 Winnipeg street youth who responded to questions relating to survival sex, 26.3% reported they had engaged in survival sex. Females and Aboriginal youth were at greatest risk for sex trade involvement. Youth engaged in survival sex were diagnosed with significantly higher rates of STBBI; experienced greater amounts of abuse; and were at greater risk for participating in high risk sexual behaviours compared to their non-sex trade counterparts. Conclusion: Gender specific, culturally appropriate, and youth oriented prevention and intervention strategies are urgently required to reduce the prevalence of STBBI and survival sex among this at-risk population.