Connections between the urban environment and active travel:Comparing studies on China and the western countries
Over the last three decades,a growing number of studies have examined the impact of the urban en-vironment on active travel,aiming to identify effective environmental interventions to promote active trans-portation.However,given the disparity in the levels of urbanization and motorization between China and the western countries,empirical evidence from the western countries may not be generalizable to China.Through analyzing and comparing relevant research from China and the western countries,this study aims to provide new insights into future research on active travel in China.First,we found that the development of active trans-portation in most countries has generally followed a"boom-decline-revival"pattern,which is closely correl-ated with the levels of urbanization and motorization in the corresponding countries.Second,we reviewed the literature on the relationship between the urban environment and active travel,and identified several general patterns linking the urban environment and active travel.We found that a high-density built environment,mixed land use patterns,good street connectivity,supportive facilities for walking and cycling,a safe travel en-vironment,and a supportive social culture promote active travel.Moreover,environmental perceptions play a mediating and moderating role in the process of the urban environment influencing active transport travel.Third,we summarized key differences in research findings between studies from China and the western coun-tries.Our analysis revealed that some urban environmental elements,including built environment density,land use diversity,walkability/bikeability,road design,distance to city centers or commercial centers,and environ-mental safety,have different effects on active travel of urban residents in China and the western countries.Fur-thermore,studies in the western countries have focused on the moderating effect of individual characteristics in the process of urban environment influencing active travel,empirical but evidence is lacking in China.Finally,we made recommendations for future research.We suggested that future research should explore more the causal and non-linear relationships between the built environment and active transport travel,as well as precise modeling and measurement of active transport travel behavior.More importantly,future research should focus on unique issues related to urbanization and motorization in China,and propose unique and innovative theories and practical guidelines.
active travelbuilt environmentsocial environmentenvironmental intervention
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