تحلیل تأثیر ویژگی‌های فردی بر تمایل شهروندان به پیاده‌روی در محیط پیاده‌مدار مطالعه موردی: حاشیه مادی نیاصرم

ABSTRACT
The focus of urban planners is the expansion of walkability as a sustainable transportation mode. In this regard, assessing the factors and barriers affecting walkability and citizens' physical activity levels is significant. The current study aims to analyze the factors influencing the inactivity of citizens, focusing on individual characteristics such as gender, marital status, body mass index, education, occupation, smoking, and vehicle ownership. This research is applied and uses a descriptive-analytical method. The statistical population consists of residents living in the margin area of Niasarm Madi (Creek). Among them, based on Cochran's formula, 390 people were questioned as a sample. The Madi axis, as a sidewalk, provides a pedestrian support space that is accessible to the examined sample and provides the possibility to focus on other factors affecting the immobility of citizens. The results of the questionnaires were analyzed using the t-test and mean analysis, and the relationship between the research parameters was investigated. Based on the results, walking in women and single people is more than in men and married people, and walking decreases with increasing age; an inverse relationship between the amount of walking and body mass index was confirmed, which means that walking is less in overweight and obese individuals compared to those who are slim and in normal weight. A significant correlation was observed between individuals' occupations and their walking levels, and vehicle ownership and smoking have a negative effect on people's mobility. The results of the study can be used as a primary basis for other experimental research. To better achieve the goal of increasing the level of physical activity of citizens, it is suggested to pay attention to the impact of individual characteristics and carry out coherent and integrated planning with a comprehensive perspective, along with the development of pedestrian spaces in the city.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
With the development of urbanization and the increasing reliance on private cars, there is a significant reduction in the level of physical activity of people during the day, which is the basis for weight gain, a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, and a rise in mortality rates. Therefore, the theories and policies of urban development have focused on providing the necessary infrastructure and creating diverse spaces to increase the mobility and dynamism of citizens. Various factors influence the level of physical activity of individuals and their tendency to walk. Alongside the importance of having the necessary infrastructure to encourage citizens to walk and the focus of the studies on their spatial quality, the role of personal characteristics in the level of physical activity of people has not been investigated, which raises a research gap in the comprehensive study of the walking subject. Thus, in this study, we aim to identify the influence of factors such as gender, marital status, weight, education, occupation, smoking habits, and vehicle ownership on walking.
 
Methodology
This research is practical in terms of purpose and was done with a quantitative approach. The techniques used include using field methods, completing questionnaires, observing, and performing statistical analysis. The chosen area for conducting field studies is the margin of Niasarm Madi in Isfahan city. The term 'Madi' in the culture of the people of Isfahan refers to the creeks branching off the Zayandeh-Rood River". The research community consists of residents living in the margin area of Niasarm, among whom a sample of 386 individuals is selected based on Cochran's formula. To assure greater confidence, 390 questionnaires are distributed among the sample members. The questionnaire results were analyzed using the t-test, confirming the relationship between the research parameters.
 
Results and discussion
Based on the analyses, the amount of physical activity in women and single people is more than that of men and married people. Therefore, gender and marital status are effective factors in the amount of walking. Additionally, age is another effective parameter, with a clear relationship indicating a decrease in walking with increasing age. High body mass index is another influential factor affecting individuals' physical activity levels, showing a decreasing trend, such that walking in overweight individuals is less than that of those with normal weight or underweight. Occupation and type of activity significantly impact individuals' activity levels, with self-employed individuals having the lowest level of activity, followed by government employees, retirees, housewives, and students. Smoking habits and vehicle ownership are other barriers to regular physical activities that were examined. In the conducted study, no significant relationship was observed between the level of education and the level of activity, which indicates the universality of walking for everyone.
 
Conclusion
According to the results, factors such as gender, age, marital status, body mass index, smoking, occupation, and vehicle ownership have a direct impact on walking. Considering the identified factors and their relationship with the level of walking, using these factors in order to comprehensive planning and deal with the limitations will help improve the success of pedestrian-friendly spaces and increase citizens' activity levels. Therefore, alongside the development of pedestrian-friendly spaces in the city, attention to the influence of these factors on individuals' mobility enables coherent and integrated planning towards better achieving the goal of increasing citizens' physical activity during the day. It also guides specific programs to promote walking. These results can be used as a basic basis in other experimental research.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
 
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.