Physical environmental characteristics promoting independent and active transport to children's meaningful places

Research on urban structural characteristics promoting physical activity is often focussing on just few of the settings where children and youth spend their time. To overcome this, we used mapping methodology where children themselves defined their important places. Then, the associations between the urban structure and children's active transport and independent mobility were studied. Principal component analysis was used to compose multivariate profiles of physical environment around meaningful places. We found that structure dominated by single family housing promoted both independent mobility and use of active transport modes. Dense urban residential structure allowed for independent mobility but did not promote active transport. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.