Mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in Australia
Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a significant public health concern, with limited signs of improvement despite a global commitment to achieving the World Health Organization’s target of 15% reduction by 2030. A systems approach is required to tackle this issue, involving the creation of e...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14897-w |
| _version_ | 1797945668343431168 |
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| author | Tracy Nau Sean Perry Billie Giles-Corti William Bellew Adrian Bauman Ben J. Smith |
| author_facet | Tracy Nau Sean Perry Billie Giles-Corti William Bellew Adrian Bauman Ben J. Smith |
| author_sort | Tracy Nau |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a significant public health concern, with limited signs of improvement despite a global commitment to achieving the World Health Organization’s target of 15% reduction by 2030. A systems approach is required to tackle this issue, involving the creation of environments that are conducive to physical activity. Laws represent an important tool for regulating the built environment for physical activity, are a mechanism for systems change, and have the capacity to reorient the goals and rules of a system. However, they are understudied and potentially underutilised for physical activity. Scientific legal mapping is a first step towards understanding how laws could impact the built environment to facilitate greater population physical activity. Method We conducted a legal assessment of state and territory laws in Australia, to systematically characterise how they address built environment considerations with specific relevance to walking and cycling. An interdisciplinary team of researchers with public health, law and urban planning expertise was formed to complete the multistage process. Key steps included a systematic search of laws using a combination of original legal research, consultation of secondary sources, and review and verification by an urban planning expert; development of a coding scheme; and completion of coding and quality control procedures. Results Most jurisdictions in Australia do not currently embed objectives in primary legislation that would promote physical activity and support an integrated approach to land use and transport planning that encourages active and sustainable lifestyles. Only two jurisdictions addressed the large majority of evidence-based standards that promote active living. Of the standards addressed in law, few fully met evidence-based recommendations. While most jurisdictions legislated responsibility for enforcement of planning law, few legislated obligations for monitoring implementation. Conclusion Increasing physical activity is a systems issue, requiring actions across multiple sectors. An in-depth examination of the legal environment is an important step towards understanding and influencing the existing physical activity system, why it may not be generating desired outcomes, and potential opportunities for improvement. Our findings reveal opportunities where laws could be strengthened to promote more active environments. Updating this dataset periodically will generate longitudinal data that could be used to evaluate the impact of these laws on the built environment and physical activity behaviours. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T20:58:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-51f0504bbca4455882df25f8753c320d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T20:58:43Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-51f0504bbca4455882df25f8753c320d2023-01-22T12:27:29ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-01-0123112510.1186/s12889-022-14897-wMapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in AustraliaTracy Nau0Sean Perry1Billie Giles-Corti2William Bellew3Adrian Bauman4Ben J. Smith5Prevention Research Collaboration, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyThe University of Sydney Law SchoolThe Australian Prevention Partnership CentrePrevention Research Collaboration, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyPrevention Research Collaboration, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyPrevention Research Collaboration, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of SydneyAbstract Background Physical inactivity is a significant public health concern, with limited signs of improvement despite a global commitment to achieving the World Health Organization’s target of 15% reduction by 2030. A systems approach is required to tackle this issue, involving the creation of environments that are conducive to physical activity. Laws represent an important tool for regulating the built environment for physical activity, are a mechanism for systems change, and have the capacity to reorient the goals and rules of a system. However, they are understudied and potentially underutilised for physical activity. Scientific legal mapping is a first step towards understanding how laws could impact the built environment to facilitate greater population physical activity. Method We conducted a legal assessment of state and territory laws in Australia, to systematically characterise how they address built environment considerations with specific relevance to walking and cycling. An interdisciplinary team of researchers with public health, law and urban planning expertise was formed to complete the multistage process. Key steps included a systematic search of laws using a combination of original legal research, consultation of secondary sources, and review and verification by an urban planning expert; development of a coding scheme; and completion of coding and quality control procedures. Results Most jurisdictions in Australia do not currently embed objectives in primary legislation that would promote physical activity and support an integrated approach to land use and transport planning that encourages active and sustainable lifestyles. Only two jurisdictions addressed the large majority of evidence-based standards that promote active living. Of the standards addressed in law, few fully met evidence-based recommendations. While most jurisdictions legislated responsibility for enforcement of planning law, few legislated obligations for monitoring implementation. Conclusion Increasing physical activity is a systems issue, requiring actions across multiple sectors. An in-depth examination of the legal environment is an important step towards understanding and influencing the existing physical activity system, why it may not be generating desired outcomes, and potential opportunities for improvement. Our findings reveal opportunities where laws could be strengthened to promote more active environments. Updating this dataset periodically will generate longitudinal data that could be used to evaluate the impact of these laws on the built environment and physical activity behaviours.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14897-wLegal epidemiologyEnvironment and public healthBuilt environmentWalkingBicyclingLegislation |
| spellingShingle | Tracy Nau Sean Perry Billie Giles-Corti William Bellew Adrian Bauman Ben J. Smith Mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in Australia BMC Public Health Legal epidemiology Environment and public health Built environment Walking Bicycling Legislation |
| title | Mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in Australia |
| title_full | Mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in Australia |
| title_fullStr | Mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in Australia |
| title_short | Mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in Australia |
| title_sort | mapping and analysis of laws influencing built environments for walking and cycling in australia |
| topic | Legal epidemiology Environment and public health Built environment Walking Bicycling Legislation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14897-w |
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