Exploring Neighborhood Environments and Active Commuting in Chennai, India

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Urban Planning
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Limited research exists on built environment factors influencing active commuting in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• India faces challenges like traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and pollution, hindering active transport.
• Understanding context-specific correlates of active commuting is crucial for developing effective public health policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between home neighborhood environment characteristics and active commuting in Chennai, India.
• To compare findings with those from high-income countries and highlight context-specific differences.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 370 adults in Chennai, India.
• Participants self-reported commuting modes (active, public transit, private transport).
• Neighborhood environment attributes were assessed using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for India (NEWS-India).
• Logistic regression models analyzed associations between environmental factors and commuting behaviors, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Living in neighborhoods with mixed land use and proximity to transit stops was associated with higher likelihood of active commuting.
• Mixed land use was also linked to increased public transit use.
• Contrary to high-income country findings, perceived safety from crime, aesthetics, and street connectivity were inversely associated with active commuting.

Conclusions:

• Built environment correlates of active commuting in India differ significantly from those in high-income countries.
• Inverse associations with safety and aesthetics highlight the need for context-specific research in LMICs.
• Findings suggest caution when translating active commuting promotion strategies across different global contexts.