@article{oloonabadi_baran_2023, title={Augmented reality participatory platform: A novel digital participatory planning tool to engage under-resourced communities in improving neighborhood walkability}, volume={141}, ISSN={["1873-6084"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.cities.2023.104441}, abstractNote={Engaging communities and utilizing local knowledge can alleviate the disparities faced by under-resourced neighborhoods with regard to providing sufficient opportunities for walkability. Digital technologies, and in particular smartphones, have created new opportunities to improve community engagement by expanding the inclusion of diverse stakeholders in decision-making. This paper introduces a novel digital participatory planning tool called the Augmented Reality Participatory Platform (ARPP). The platform uses mobile augmented reality (mobile AR) to engage residents, particularly in under-resourced communities, in identifying the design improvements necessary to enhance neighborhood walkability. ARPP consists of a mobile AR app, cloud database, and real-time mapping service. It provides a platform for two-way communication between residents of these communities and decision-makers, with potential benefits for both groups. ARPP enables residents to interact with street features and walkable design interventions in situ, generate walking-related spatial data, and share them and possible design solutions with decision-makers. The platform also assists decision-makers with presenting walkable street design alternatives developed based on community feedback to residents. To determine if ARPP is useful and user-friendly, experts and a group of residents from an under-resourced community evaluated the usability of the mobile AR app. We found that the app largely met the usability goals, and after we addressed must-solve issues identified by the experts, community participants faced very few issues when interacting with it. With recent technological advances in mobile AR and its potential for planning and design, integrating mobile AR into participatory planning is timely.}, journal={CITIES}, author={Oloonabadi, Saeed Ahmadi and Baran, Perver}, year={2023}, month={Oct} }
 @article{vivek nanda_baran_tateosian_nelson_hu_2023, title={Classification of tree forms in aerial LiDAR point clouds using CNN for 3D tree modelling}, volume={44}, ISSN={["1366-5901"]}, DOI={10.1080/01431161.2023.2282405}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Three-dimensional models of trees that correspond to the real-world forms of the trees on the ground are used in urban planning, solar power estimation, and other disciplines. Previous studies have focused on generating 3D tree models from high-density point cloud data such as Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) data, which is expensive and limited to small spatial extents. However, there has been limited exploration of inexpensive solutions to model trees over large spatial extents. The goal of this study is to use widely available discrete return Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data along with field-captured tree photographs and Google Street View (GSV) images to develop 3D equivalents of trees over larger spatial extents. To this end, we designed a process to assign representative 3D models for individual trees in discrete return ALS point clouds. This study demonstrates the use of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model and 3D models generated with Structure from Motion (SfM) for the realistic modelling of deciduous non-overlapping trees from discrete return ALS data. We classified and labelled the crown shapes of deciduous trees in a study area into four classes based on GSV images of trees. We delineated and segmented non-overlapping deciduous trees from ALS data and reduced them to 2D images using voxel point counts. Next, we trained a CNN architecture to match the 2D images to the corresponding classes observed from GSV images. For each class, we created a representative 3D tree model using field-captured circumnavigational photos of trees and SfM. To demonstrate 3D visualization using the 3D tree models, we created a 3D visualization of the trees surrounding a parking lot. The trained CNN model from this study can be used to classify non-overlapping deciduous trees from discrete return ALS data and subsequently visualize near-realistic 3D tree models of trees.}, number={22}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING}, author={Vivek Nanda, Vishnu Mahesh and Baran, Perver and Tateosian, Laura and Nelson, Stacy A. C. and Hu, Jianxin}, year={2023}, month={Nov}, pages={7156–7186} }
 @article{amindarbari_baran_meentemeyer_2022, title={Spatially disaggregated simulation of interactions between home prices and land-use change}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2399-8091"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1177/23998083221142603}, DOI={10.1177/23998083221142603}, abstractNote={ Land-use regulations play a key role on both sides of the real estate market by regulating the supply of housing (e.g., through restrictions on unit density or building height) and by controlling the location and density of places of work, which are the primary drivers of the demand for housing. Developing geospatial models for this interaction between land use and home price on a spatially disaggregated level enables decisionmakers to evaluate the impact of their land-use decisions from the housing affordability perspective. However, existing standalone residential real estate pricing models are insensitive to changes in land use. In addition, the data preparation, calibration, and training of integrated land-use and transportation models is nontrivial too, and still impractical for most municipalities and planning agencies. This paper presents a simple-to-implement framework, SimP-R, for simulating changes in housing prices on a spatially disaggregated level in response to land-use change. It is composed of a residential real estate pricing model and an algorithm for computing a novel measure of supply-to-demand ratio. This paper then demonstrates the implementation of SimP-R in the city of San Francisco, with the entire Bay Area serving as the influence geography. Our findings showed our proposed measure of the supply-to-demand ratio is a strong predictor of and inversely related to housing prices. Simulation experimentation results highlighted SimP-R’s ability to capture the effect of local land-use changes on housing prices across the metropolitan area. }, journal={ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING B-URBAN ANALYTICS AND CITY SCIENCE}, author={Amindarbari, Reza and Baran, Perver and Meentemeyer, Ross K. K.}, year={2022}, month={Dec} }
 @article{hallowell_baran_2021, title={Neighborhood Dynamics and Long-Term Change}, volume={53}, ISSN={["1538-4632"]}, DOI={10.1111/gean.12240}, abstractNote={Patterns of change in neighborhoods can be discordantly different, even within the same city district. A little understood factor in how urban neighborhoods form and grow is structural inertia, which is the tendency of an urban area to resist change due to its existing physical and socio‐economic fabric. This study explores how patterns of buildings, plots, blocks, and streets affect change or inertia in neighborhoods over time. We integrate Conzenian morphology and space syntax approaches within a geographic information system (GIS) framework to study two historic neighborhoods in Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C. at four points in time over a 96‐year span. Aerial images, historic maps, and GIS sources help to create spatial configuration and building data for each time period. We then analyze these data to identify statistical and map‐pattern morphological and syntactic relationships both in the aggregate and in detail. Our research finds that most of the independent variables of block size, plot size, building footprint, global integration, local integration, and connectivity predicted long‐term change measured in building inventory in almost every occurrence. Our study also suggests design implications and possible future tools and research for measuring change and its relation to the physical characteristics of our cities.}, number={2}, journal={GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS}, author={Hallowell, George and Baran, Perver}, year={2021}, month={Apr}, pages={213–236} }
 @article{tabrizian_baran_van berkel_mitasova_meentemeyer_2020, title={Modeling restorative potential of urban environments by coupling viewscape analysis of lidar data with experiments in immersive virtual environments}, volume={195}, ISSN={["1872-6062"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85076054188&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103704}, abstractNote={• We propose an approach for modeling experiential qualities of urban landscape. • We use lidar data to generate detailed model of landscape structure and patterns. • We combine GIS analysis of viewscapes with survey of immersive virtual environment. • We identify spatial metrics that predict urban landscape’s restorative potential (RP). • We develop a predictive map of RP that can support decision-making and urban design.}, journal={LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING}, author={Tabrizian, Payam and Baran, Perver K. and Van Berkel, Derek and Mitasova, Helena and Meentemeyer, Ross}, year={2020}, month={Mar} }
 @article{nazariadli_morais_bunds_baran_supak_2019, title={Rural tourism microentrepreneurs’ self-representation through photography: a counter-hegemonic approach}, volume={28}, ISSN={1037-1656 2204-0536}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10371656.2019.1576294}, DOI={10.1080/10371656.2019.1576294}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT American rural social geography has been subjected to simplified and standardised projections and stereotyping by hegemonic tourism media. Urban-centred advertising of rural tourism destinations is a powerful medium in creating hegemony and hierarchy between urban and rural communities. The act of representing rural social geographies through tourism creates discourse which dialectically creates and reinforces the modified social status quo of rural societies. Hence, aiming for social change and to magnify the rural subaltern voice, this article adopted auto-photography as an ethnographic participatory method. Fourteen rural tourism microentrepreneurs from the Piedmont region of North Carolina, United States, participated in self-representational photography of the aspects of life they wished to share with urbanites. Interviews were conducted using participants’ favourite photos as prompts. Critical discourse analysis was employed to identify rural tourism microentrepreneurs’ self-representations that counter urban-normativity. Findings show microentrepreneurs resisted and complied with an urban-normative tourism-based ideological hegemony.}, number={1}, journal={Rural Society}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Nazariadli, Shahab and Morais, Duarte B. and Bunds, Kyle and Baran, Perver and Supak, Stacy}, year={2019}, month={Jan}, pages={29–51} }
 @article{baran_tabrizian_zhai_smith_floyd_2018, title={An exploratory study of perceived safety in a neighborhood park using immersive virtual environments}, volume={35}, ISSN={1618-8667}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.08.009}, DOI={10.1016/j.ufug.2018.08.009}, abstractNote={Spatial configuration and physical characteristics of landscape features can strongly influence perceptions of fear and danger. This study examined how situational characteristics, particularly spatial enclosure shaped by surrounding vegetation, are related to perception of safety in a park setting. Study stimuli involved eight 360° immersive virtual environments (IVE) representing low, medium, and high spatial enclosure situations based on the degree of visual and locomotive permeability shaped by the physical arrangement of vegetation. Forty-eight students experienced the IVEs wearing a head mounted display device and then indicated on a 5-point scale how safe they would feel walking alone in that location during the day. Immediately after rating each IVE, participants indicated the main reasons they would feel either safe or unsafe in that particular location. Analysis results indicated that subjects perceived high enclosure environments as significantly less safe than medium and low enclosure environments. In addition to enclosure formed by vegetation, attributes that contributed to perception of safety were presence of non-threatening people and paths. Results indicated that gender differences in perceived safety were significant for the high and medium enclosed environments only. Study findings would allow urban planners and park managers to better understand how the spatial characteristics of existing or planned urban greenspace are likely to influence perceived safety and consequently use patterns and the attainment of social and psychological benefits provided by urban parks. Such an understanding can help generate evidence-based guidelines for improving safety while preserving desired aesthetic and ecological properties of the landscape.}, journal={Urban Forestry & Urban Greening}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Baran, Perver K. and Tabrizian, Payam and Zhai, Yujia and Smith, Jordan W. and Floyd, Myron F.}, year={2018}, month={Oct}, pages={72–81} }
 @article{zhai_baran_wu_2018, title={Can trail spatial attributes predict trail use level in urban forest park? An examination integrating GPS data and space syntax theory}, volume={29}, ISSN={["1618-8667"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.ufug.2017.10.008}, abstractNote={Understanding users’ spatial distribution in forest park is crucial for providing visitors with quality recreation experiences and for park planning and management. Utilizing users’ spatial distribution data, this study aims at investigating associations between trail use level and trail spatial attributes, through examining two large urban forest parks (Gongqing forest park and Paotaiwan forest park) in Shanghai, China. Users’ spatial distribution was measured utilizing GPS trackers with the interval of 10 seconds. This study conceptualizes trail spatial attributes as trail metric attributes and trail configurational attributes. Trail metric attributes include trail mean distance to gates, length, width and level of enclosure, which are calculated based on park map and on-site observation. We computed trail configurational attributes utilizing space syntax theory, which comprise measures of global integration, control, and connectivity. Trail connection with features/facilities, visual connection with water and shading are included as covariate variables. In total, we obtained 134 valid samples in Gongqing forest park and 210 valid samples in Paotaiwan forest park for analysis. Multivariate regression analyses indicate that when involving covariate variables, consistently in both parks, a greater trail usage is significantly related to trail shorter mean distance to park gate, trail width wider than 3 meters, higher global integration and higher control values. Collectively, these four trail spatial attributes explained 31.7 % (p < 0.001) and 27.3 % (p < 0.001) of the variances in trail use level in Gongqing forest park and Paotaiwan forest park. These findings provide direct implications to park designers and managers for providing visitors with different desirable social conditions, and ultimately improve users’ experiences and satisfactions.}, journal={URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING}, author={Zhai, Yujia and Baran, Perver Korca and Wu, Chengzhao}, year={2018}, month={Jan}, pages={171–182} }
 @article{tabrizian_baran_smith_meentemeyer_2018, title={Exploring perceived restoration potential of urban green enclosure through immersive virtual environments}, volume={55}, ISSN={["1522-9610"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jenvp.2018.01.001}, abstractNote={We examine the effects of green space enclosure on perceived restorativeness and perceived safety in two urban setting, and in turn, we explore the extent to which perceived safety mediates the casual pathways between enclosure and perceived restorativeness. Photorealistic 360o panoramas taken from a plaza and a park were digitally manipulated to create 18 immersive virtual environment (IVE) stimuli that depict variations of spatial arrangement and permeability of vegetation. Using a head-mounted display, 87 participants viewed the IVEs and rated each on perceived restorativeness and perceived safety. Anova results revealed a significant interaction between enclosure indicators and setting type. Spatial arrangement positively affected perceived restorativeness in urban plaza while in park setting, spatial arrangement and permeability inversely influenced both perceived restorativeness and safety. Perception of safety mediated the causal pathways between enclosure and perceived restorativeness with more pronounced effects in park setting.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY}, author={Tabrizian, Payam and Baran, Perver K. and Smith, William R. and Meentemeyer, Ross K.}, year={2018}, month={Feb}, pages={99–109} }
 @article{zhai_baran_wu_2018, title={Spatial distributions and use patterns of user groups in urban forest parks: An examination utilizing GPS tracker}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1618-8667"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.ufug.2018.07.014}, abstractNote={Understanding the spatial distributions of visitors is critical for urban forest park planning and management. Utilizing GPS trackers and a survey, this study focuses on two large urban forest parks in Shanghai to identify the main user groups and explore their use patterns, spatial distribution patterns, and preferred park settings. Valid data of 304 users’ movement and spatial location were collected using GPS trackers with a 10-second interval. The results indicate that Chinese users usually visit urban forest parks in small groups with families and friends. The three major user groups are those come to play with children, have contact with nature and relax, and get together with families and friends. The average nearest neighbor and standard deviational ellipse analyses indicate that users who come to have contact with nature and relax engage in more vigorous activities, are spatially more dispersed and explore larger areas of forest parks. Logistic regression and hotspot analyses suggest that users who come to play with children and get together with families and friends prefer to stay in areas that can accommodate group activities, such as amusement areas, lawns, and barbeque sites. Points of interest in the park tend to attract users who want to have contact with nature and relax. Findings of the study provides empirical evidence on the associations between users’ motivations and their spatial distribution patterns in urban forest park, which has direct implications to park planning and design. In practice, designers may provide preferred park settings and spacious activity zones to accommodate group activities, and disperse park features preferred by different user groups to avoid potential conflicts between visitors with social-oriented and nature-oriented motivations. The study is unique in that it proposes an objective approach to analyze users’ movement in nature recreation area using GPS data and spatial statistics techniques.}, journal={URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING}, author={Zhai, Yujia and Baran, Perver Korca and Wu, Chengzhao}, year={2018}, month={Oct}, pages={32–44} }
 @article{zhai_baran_2017, title={Urban park pathway design characteristics and senior walking behavior}, volume={21}, ISSN={["1618-8667"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.ufug.2016.10.012}, abstractNote={Urban parks are easily available settings for seniors to engage in daily physical activity. As a type of low-cost physical activity, walking can bring seniors multiple health benefits. Among all park facilities, park pathways are most significantly related to physical activity. The present study examined the links between specific park pathway design characteristics and senior walking within urban park, through observations and interviews. This study was conducted in two neighborhood parks in Beijing, China. On-site observations were utilized to collect data on senior walking behavior (dependent variable) and pathway design characteristics (independent variable). We calculated the average number of observed seniors in all observations to represent usage of each pathway segment. Interviews were conducted to explore pathway design characteristics preferred and disliked by senior users. ANOVA analyses and correlation analyses revealed that seniors prefer pathways that have soft or even pavement (plastic track and bricks), benches, flowers, and light fixtures. Also, seniors are attracted to pathways that are long, between 3–3.9 meters wide, and without connection with activity zones. In addition, results suggest other pathway design characteristics, such as being along a water body, having shade, providing lateral visibility and visual connection with water, and without visual connection with landmarks may also encourage senior walking. By providing park pathways preferred by seniors, designers can create park environments that are supportive of senior walking, and ultimately contribute to improving senior health and life quality.}, journal={URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING}, author={Zhai, Yujia and Baran, Perver Korca}, year={2017}, month={Jan}, pages={60–73} }
 @article{zhai_baran_2016, title={Do configurational attributes matter in context of urban parks? Park pathway configurational attributes and senior walking}, volume={148}, ISSN={["1872-6062"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.12.010}, abstractNote={Neighborhood urban parks are easily available settings for seniors to engage in walking. Park pathway characteristics can promote or limit senior walking. The present study examines how four objective measurements of pathway configurational characteristics relate to senior walking in two neighborhood parks in Beijing, China. In total, 75 pathway segments were included in the study. Senior walking behavior was measured through on-site observations, and sum of observed seniors on each pathway segment was the dependent variable. Space syntax approach was used to measure four park pathway configurational characteristics, i.e., average depth to gates, average depth to landmarks, control value, and global integration. In addition, three micro-level pathway characteristics were also included: pathway connection with activity zones, presence of shade, and lateral visibility. Regression analysis indicates that pathway global integration value (degree of syntactic accessibility) and control value (degree of control on accessing neighboring pathways) are positively associated with number of observed seniors on each pathway segment. Moreover, pathways without connection with activity zones are used more by seniors. In design practice, we can distribute preferred micro-level design characteristics, such as shade and benches along pathways with high global integration value and control value, in order to encourage senior walking.}, journal={LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING}, author={Zhai, Yujia and Baran, Perver Korca}, year={2016}, month={Apr}, pages={188–202} }
 @article{terzi_turkoglu_bolen_baran_salihoglu_2015, title={Residents' Perception of Cultural Activities as Quality of Life in Istanbul}, volume={122}, ISSN={["1573-0921"]}, DOI={10.1007/s11205-014-0688-5}, number={1}, journal={SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH}, author={Terzi, Fatih and Turkoglu, Handan Dulger and Bolen, Fulin and Baran, Perver Korca and Salihoglu, Tayfun}, year={2015}, month={May}, pages={211–234} }
 @article{bocarro_floyd_smith_edwards_schultz_baran_moore_cosco_suau_2015, title={Social and Environmental Factors Related to Boys’ and Girls’ Park-Based Physical Activity}, volume={12}, ISSN={1545-1151}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd12.140532}, DOI={10.5888/pcd12.140532}, abstractNote={Introduction Parks provide opportunities for physical activity for children. This study examined sex differences in correlates of park-based physical activity because differences may indicate that a standard environmental intervention to increase activity among children may not equally benefit boys and girls. Methods The System for Observation Play and Recreation in Communities was used to measure physical activity among 2,712 children and adolescents in 20 neighborhood parks in Durham, North Carolina, in 2007. Sedentary activity, walking, vigorous park activity, and energy expenditure were the primary outcome variables. Hierarchical logit regression models of physical activity were estimated separately for boys and girls. Results Type of activity area and presence of other active children were positively associated with boys’ and girls’ physical activity, and presence of a parent was negatively associated. A significant interaction involving number of recreation facilities in combination with formal activities was positively associated with girls’ activity. A significant interaction involving formal park activity and young boys (aged 0–5 y) was negatively associated with park-based physical activity. Conclusion Activity area and social correlates of park-based physical activity were similar for boys and girls; findings for formal park programming, age, and number of facilities were mixed. Results show that girls’ physical activity was more strongly affected by social effects (eg, presence of other active children) whereas boys’ physical activity was more strongly influenced by the availability of park facilities. These results can inform park planning and design. Additional studies are necessary to clarify sex differences in correlates of park-based physical activity.}, number={E97}, journal={Preventing Chronic Disease}, publisher={Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)}, author={Bocarro, Jason N. and Floyd, Myron F. and Smith, William R. and Edwards, Michael B. and Schultz, Courtney L. and Baran, Perver and Moore, Robin A. and Cosco, Nilda and Suau, Luis J.}, year={2015}, month={Jun} }
 @article{baran_smith_moore_floyd_bocarro_cosco_danninger_2014, title={Park Use Among Youth and Adults: Examination of Individual, Social, and Urban Form Factors}, volume={46}, ISSN={["1552-390X"]}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84903973570&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1177/0013916512470134}, abstractNote={This article examines park use in relation to neighborhood social (safety and poverty) and urban form (pedestrian infrastructure and street network pattern) characteristics among youth and adult subpopulations defined by age and gender. We utilized System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) and Geographic Information Systems to objectively measure park use and park and neighborhood characteristics in 20 neighborhood parks. Heterogeneous negative binomial regression models indicated that the relationship between park use and types of activity settings, and park use and neighborhood attributes vary by age and gender. In general, the study found that park and activity setting size; activity settings such as playgrounds, basketball courts, pool and water features, shelters, and picnic areas; and availability of sidewalks and intersections in the park’s neighborhood were positively associated with park use, whereas crime, poverty, and racial heterogeneity of the surrounding neighborhood were negatively associated with park use.}, number={6}, journal={Environment & Behavior}, author={Baran, P.K. and Smith, W.R. and Moore, R.C. and Floyd, M.F. and Bocarro, J.N. and Cosco, N. and Danninger, T.}, year={2014}, pages={768–800} }
 @article{long_baran_2012, title={Does Intelligibility Affect Place Legibility? Understanding the Relationship Between Objective and Subjective Evaluations of the Urban Environment}, volume={44}, ISSN={["0013-9165"]}, DOI={10.1177/0013916511402059}, abstractNote={ Lynch has defined place legibility as the ease with which people understand the layout of a place. The concept essentially represents the composite mental image of a place. Alternatively, space-syntax literature has objectively defined the concept of intelligibility as the capacity of a space to give clues to the understanding of the system as a whole. This study contributes to understanding space-syntax theory as applied to spatial cognition by examining the effect of spatial configuration, measured by intelligibility, on place legibility, measured by sketch maps, recognition tests, and surveys. The results of the experimental study showed that the intelligibility of neighborhood layout influences place legibility. The findings of this study suggest that the space-syntax methodology could be used by urban designers and policy makers to understand and quantitatively manipulate one aspect of the environment, that is, intelligibility, which contributes to improved legibility. }, number={5}, journal={ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR}, author={Long, Yixiang and Baran, Perver K.}, year={2012}, month={Sep}, pages={616–640} }
 @article{floyd_bocarro_smith_baran_moore_cosco_edwards_suau_fang_2011, title={Park-Based Physical Activity Among Children and Adolescents}, volume={41}, ISSN={0749-3797}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2011.04.013}, DOI={10.1016/j.amepre.2011.04.013}, abstractNote={Background Availability of parks is associated with higher levels of physical activity among children and adolescents. Few studies examine actual park use and park-based physical activity in these populations. Purpose This study examined associations among individual, park, and neighborhood environmental characteristics and children's and adolescent's park-based physical activity. Methods Data were collected in 2007 on 2712 children in 20 randomly selected parks in Durham NC. The System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) provided measures of physical activity. Hierarchic regression analysis assessed associations among individual, park, and neighborhood environmental characteristics and children's park-based physical activity. Data were analyzed in 2010. Results Of the 2712 children observed, 34.2% and 13.2% were engaged in walking or vigorous physical activity. Environmental features of parks were associated with activity levels whereas neighborhood characteristics were not. Physical activity was negatively associated with gender (girls) (p=0.003); presence of a parent (p<0.0001); presence of nonparental adult (p=0.006); and an interaction involving the 0–5 years age group and style of play (p=0.017). Higher level of physical activity was associated with presence of other active children (p<0.0001); courts (e.g., basketball); and an interaction between number of recreation facilities and formal activities (p=0.004). Conclusions These social factors and design features should be considered in order to stimulate higher levels of park-based physical activity among children and adolescents. Availability of parks is associated with higher levels of physical activity among children and adolescents. Few studies examine actual park use and park-based physical activity in these populations. This study examined associations among individual, park, and neighborhood environmental characteristics and children's and adolescent's park-based physical activity. Data were collected in 2007 on 2712 children in 20 randomly selected parks in Durham NC. The System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) provided measures of physical activity. Hierarchic regression analysis assessed associations among individual, park, and neighborhood environmental characteristics and children's park-based physical activity. Data were analyzed in 2010. Of the 2712 children observed, 34.2% and 13.2% were engaged in walking or vigorous physical activity. Environmental features of parks were associated with activity levels whereas neighborhood characteristics were not. Physical activity was negatively associated with gender (girls) (p=0.003); presence of a parent (p<0.0001); presence of nonparental adult (p=0.006); and an interaction involving the 0–5 years age group and style of play (p=0.017). Higher level of physical activity was associated with presence of other active children (p<0.0001); courts (e.g., basketball); and an interaction between number of recreation facilities and formal activities (p=0.004). These social factors and design features should be considered in order to stimulate higher levels of park-based physical activity among children and adolescents.}, number={3}, journal={American Journal of Preventive Medicine}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Floyd, Myron F. and Bocarro, Jason N. and Smith, William R. and Baran, Perver K. and Moore, Robin C. and Cosco, Nilda G. and Edwards, Michael B. and Suau, Luis J. and Fang, Kunsheng}, year={2011}, month={Sep}, pages={258–265} }
 @article{baran_rodríguez_khattak_2008, title={Space Syntax and Walking in a New Urbanist and Suburban Neighbourhoods}, volume={13}, ISSN={1357-4809 1469-9664}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13574800701803498}, DOI={10.1080/13574800701803498}, abstractNote={Prevailing measures of street design have largely ignored the relational properties between local and global street design as correlates of walking behaviour. This study contributes to understanding relationships between the syntactical properties of street design and walking behaviour by examining whether space syntax measures in New Urbanist and conventional suburban neighbourhoods are associated with the walking patterns of residents in these communities. Relying on geographic information systems, survey data and travel diaries, the study relates control, local integration and global integration to walking behaviour, while adjusting for the effect of individual- and household-level characteristics. It finds significant relationships between the number of leisure trips and all three syntactical measures. It also finds a consistent positive relationship between total utilitarian walking and two of the space syntax variables, control and global integration. By explaining individuals' walking behaviour using relational measures of street design, urban designers and planners are encouraged to expand their consideration of how street design may influence walking beyond the local purview.}, number={1}, journal={Journal of Urban Design}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Baran, Perver K. and Rodríguez, Daniel A. and Khattak, Asad J.}, year={2008}, month={Feb}, pages={5–28} }