Integrating Socio-Ecological and Walkability Perspectives: A Conceptual Framework for Children's Independent Mobility in Malaysian Neighbourhoods
List of Authors
Arina Rahmat, Kushairi Rashid, Nur Shaffiqa Muhammad Soffian
Keyword
children’s independent mobility, built environment, school
Abstract
This conceptual paper explores into the relationship between the built environment and children's independent mobility, seeking to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the factors that influence children's ability to navigate their surroundings autonomously. Although international studies have highlighted factors influence the children’s independent mobility, there are minimal studies that look up on the physical environment factor in neighbourhood area, especially in Malaysia. This paper seeks to address this gap by reviewing the literature by proposing a conceptual framework delineating the physical environment factors that impact Children's Independent Mobility (CIM). The paper reviews existing literature on the subject, identifying key built environment factors that significantly impact children's independent mobility. These factors include land use diversity, traffic and accessibility, neighbourhood design, access to green spaces and several other aspects that influences children mobility. By synthesizing several attributes of built environment factors, the paper proposes a conceptual framework that elucidates Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and walkable neighbourhood concept as the dynamic interplay between the built environment and children's independent mobility.