Estudio del entorno construido alrededor de las escuelas para determinar la caminabilidad de niños en la ciudad de Cuenca - Ecuador

Abstract

It has been shown that the built environment of cities, particularly the microscale, has influence on the physical activity levels of the population. The literature also states that physical activity practi¬ced from an early age has a favorable impact on people's health. However, nowadays there are no data that facilitate the study of walkability in urban environments, especially in Latin American contexts. That is why this study aimed to adapt an international tool (MAPS), which allowed a precise study of the built environment around 8 schools in Cuenca. A total of 315 segments were analyzed, using three different data collection techniques (in situ and online). Statistical tests among on-site survey techniques, showed good reliability. In addition, the analyzed data recorded the highest walkability that was 30.47%, while the lowest was 11.41% with regard to the maximum possible value; resulting in a general average of 24.07% of walkability for the 8 schools analyzed. The adapted tool demonstrated a high level of reliability, so it can be replicated and used for diffe¬rent studies of urban environments in Latin American contexts. The application of the methodology in the city showed the real level of walkability, demonstrating the need for an intervention that promotes the levels of active transport around the city's schools.