Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale Paper

Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale

The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale is used to calculate the walkability of neighborhoods by a questionnaire. The questionnaire asks questions, such as safety and crime, surroundings, sidewalks, amenity accessibility, and walking and biking. The tools are used by citizens to obtain information about neighborhoods and whether or not they are walkable. Also, it obtains information on the access to healthy food options, such as farmer’s markets. It is a tool designed to obtain residents’ insight on the features of the neighborhood. (Cerin, 2006).

Overall, this tool accurately captured the walkability of my neighborhood. However, there are a few features and small issues with the tool. After

For example, my neighborhood only has sidewalks within my one-block street. Outside of the neighborhood is a busy road with no crosswalks or sidewalks. Also, my neighborhood is lacking places within walking distance. There is no walking outside of my neighborhood, because of its location. However, biking would be possible on the side of the main road, however, it might be a little dangerous. The road has many curves and a high speed-limit. Also, there is only one grocery store within a 5-10-minute drive. Walking would be dangerous but it would most likely be a 20-minute walk to the grocery store. All the food places, the gym, and other amenities are located in the same shopping center at the beginning of the neighborhood. This means it would be about a 20-minute walk to any of the amenities. However, my neighborhood is relatively safe. There are several street lamps, so it is well lit during the night. Also, there is not much crime around my neighborhood. Next, the neighborhood has nice, well-kept grass. There are bushes, trees, and flowers in most of the yards. Also, the neighborhood is very child-friendly. There are always children running around, riding bikes, and playing. There are several cul-de-sacs that children often play baseball and other games in. Looking over