Summary statement: Promoting walking is an effective way to increase population levels of physical activity. To increase walking, a whole-of-community approach is required that combines multiple-level strategies: public education, changes to the built environment and strategies that create a positive social environment.

Walking for recreation and walking for transport are influenced by different features of the environment. Walking for transport is associated with living in neighbourhoods that have connected street networks, good access to destinations and public transport, and higher residential densities.

Neighbourhood aesthetics and access to facilities, parks and beaches tend to be associated with increased walking for recreation. There are considerable opportunities for the health and other sectors to collaborate to promote walking and improve the walkability of neighbourhoods.

This includes advocating the need for healthy planning policies for new developments; educating state and local governments, developers and planners about the built environment features that facilitate walking; and promoting walking to the general public.

• Read the entire article: Heart Foundation: Position statement - The built environment and walking (PDF file, 820kb)