Capstone

Walkability in Marion County Neighborhoods

Walking is one of the oldest and most common forms of transport (Singh, 2016; Saelens & Handy, 2008). However, walking rates vary based on socioeconomic status, with low-income individuals being more likely to walk for transportation than people with higher incomes (Miles & Panton, 2006). Low-income individuals are likely to reside in “socially disadvantaged neighborhoods” that present barriers to walking, such as safety concerns due to crime, stray dogs, and high traffic volume, coupled with a lack of access to sidewalks, trails, and parks (Wilson et al., 2010; Craig et al., 2002). The lack of walkability in low-income Indianapolis neighborhoods exacerbates inequality by restricting access to essential services such as schools, jobs, and transportation while limiting avenues for physical activity among community members, contributing to worse health outcomes and less social cohesion. I have compiled data from Marion County neighborhoods from 2010 to 2018 to examine the signifance of walk scores in various neighborhoods based on poverty rate and percent of people of color as part of the total population. My hypothesis is that areas with lower incomes will have lower walk scores than more affluent areas. Addressing concerns surrounding walkability involves a multi-faceted approach that involves infrastructure repair, policy changes to zoning laws, and engaging the community to encourage walking efforts.