The Effects of Neighborhood Environment on Leisure Walking in Bangkok during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined factors influencing leisure walking behavior, which refers to purposeless walking, during the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted people to staying within their homes or neighborhoods. The study is based on two main arguments: first, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered leisure walking behavior; and second, the neighborhood environment has influenced the leisure walking behavior of urban residents during the pandemic. Using a self-reported questionnaire, purposive sampling was conducted, collecting data from a sample of 1,000 Bangkok residents. Quota sampling was used across all 50 districts, with 20 people from each district. Reliability analysis, frequency distribution, descriptive statistics, and the chi-squared test were used to evaluate the data.
Findings indicate leisure walking frequency decreased during the severe pandemic period (2021) compared to the pre-pandemic period (2019), with only 32.1% of participants engaging in weekly leisure walking during the pandemic versus 41.2% before. However, during the post-pandemic period (2023), walking rates slightly exceeded pre-pandemic levels at 42.2%. Key environmental factors significantly associated with leisure walking during the severe COVID-19 pandemic included: positive perception of neighborhood environment, medium-density residential planning zones, residence location in gated housing estates, access to parks or sports facilities, as well as environmental improvements that reduced traffic volume and speed, decreased noise pollution, and improved cleanliness. The study confirmed that neighborhood-scale environmental improvements can promote walking behavior and support resilience during health crises. Urban design strategies should focus on reducing negative environmental impacts (traffic, pollution, noise) while enhancing positive elements (green spaces, walkable infrastructure) to maintain physical and mental health during pandemic periods and support healthy lifestyles under normal circumstances.
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