Liveability transitioning: results of a pilot study of walking, accessibility, and social connection strengths weaknesses in established suburbs in Adelaide

Population health is profoundly affected by the liveability of the urban environments where people live. In Australia today most people live in suburbs which fall well short of the form and function required for liveability, which is adversely affecting population health and health equity. We produced the Healthy Urban Neighbourhood Transition Tool (HUNTT) to analyze the existing liveability strengths and weaknesses of neighbourhoods with the objective of assessing their potential for, and pathways required, for a liveability transition. This paper presents a summary of the findings of the application of the HUNTT in 22 suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, looking at the liveability determinant of walkability. The study showed that there were walkability strengths and weaknesses in all surveyed suburbs, and weaknesses tended to proliferate more in middle and all outer suburbs and those with lower median incomes. It also showed that a walkability transition is possible in all the suburbs surveyed. However, it would require coordination between multiple stakeholders, government regulatory changes and intervention, and significant public funding.