A significant number of adults in Canada, although aware of the health benefits, do not achieve the recommended levels of physical activity, and discrepancies between individuals’ perceptions of their neighbourhoods and the actual built environment can influence their physical activity choices. Utilizing data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey and the Canadian Active Living Index, this project explores the relationships between perceived walkability, actual walkability, and physical activity, paying particular attention to specific subpopulations, including older adults, women, racialized minorities, immigrants, and those of lower socioeconomic status. Aligned with broader national priorities focused on creating healthier and more equitable urban environments, this research aims to reveal how people's perceptions of their neighbourhood built environment might either amplify or counteract the influence of actual neighbourhood built characteristics on physical activity. Findings from this work hold potential to shape context and population-specific public health strategies and urban design initiatives geared toward enhancing physical activity and improving population health.

Human-centred placemaking is essential for creating vibrant, inclusive, accessible, and safe public spaces that support health, wellbeing, and quality of life. The quality of pedestrian environments is also central to walkability because it shapes whether everyday walking feels convenient, comfortable, safe, and appealing. However, the design quality of indoor public environments, including grade-separated pedestrian networks, remains underexamined across many North American cities. These networks connect destinations, support pedestrian mobility, and provide protection from traffic and harsh weather, yet their interior architecture can also communicate important cues about safety, comfort, permitted activities, and opportunities for social interaction. Using Calgary’s Plus-15 network as a case study, this project examines how architectural qualities—including geometry, enclosure, openness, transparency, lighting, materials, and colour—shape people’s perceptions, cognitive evaluations, emotional responses, and behavioural intentions. Participants will evaluate systematically collected photographs of pedestrian bridge interiors, allowing the research team to identify influential design features and explore whether responses differ across sociodemographic groups. Aligned with broader priorities focused on inclusive urban design, healthy communities, and evidence-informed placemaking, this research aims to clarify how interior public environments affect user experience. Findings will inform improvements to Calgary’s Plus-15 while providing transferable knowledge to guide more walkable, welcoming, accessible, and human-centred pedestrian networks in other cities.

Immigrants make up nearly one-quarter of Canada’s population, with most living in urban areas, yet there is limited and mixed evidence about how neighbourhood built environments support physical activity and health-related fitness among immigrant populations. Using data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, the Canadian Active Living Environments Index, and measures of neighbourhood greenspace, this project examines differences in self-reported and accelerometer-measured physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular strength among Canadian-born adults, recent immigrants, and long-term immigrants. It also explores how perceived and objectively measured walkability and neighbourhood greenspace are related to physical activity and fitness, and whether these relationships vary by immigration history. Aligned with national priorities focused on promoting health, reducing disparities, and creating more inclusive urban environments, this research aims to clarify how neighbourhood design can support active living across Canada’s diverse population. Findings from this work have the potential to inform population-specific public health strategies and urban planning initiatives that improve access to physical activity and promote the health and well-being of immigrants and Canadian-born residents alike.