Planning physical activity-friendly residential form: from a healthy city viewpoint

The aim of this research is to study the urban form at the scale of neighborhood and urban block, from a view of healthy city. It first finds evidences that show the link between space and health, then has an overview of existing experiences of making urban form more physical activity-friendly. The research analyzes two residential area in Strasbourg - Hautepierre & Cité Loucheur neighbourhoods - by applying a quantitative approach to identify and calculate the residential form through a framework that includes a set of indices which is created based on previous studies. After comparing the residential form as well as the results of the observed effects of physical activity that occurs in these areas, it indicates the relationship and the influencing mechanism between the residential form and physical activity. Finally, it proposes heterogeneous and auto-correlated block size, more connective and smooth street pattern, distributed and livable land use mix, and higher level of permeability and harmonization with surrounding area as four important orientations for planning physical activity-friendly residential area.