The Relationship between Walkability and Place Attachment and the Mediating Role of Neighborhood-Based Social Interaction

Abstract

This study aims to provide insights in the relation between neighborhood walkability and place attachment and the mediating role of (satisfaction with) social interaction. Both objective and perceived walkability are tested. To analyze these relations, two structural equation models are estimated on data collected among 251 residents of different neighborhoods across the Netherlands. The results show that perceived neighborhood walkability is a stronger predictor of place attachment than objective walkability. Perceived walkability has both a positive direct effect on place attachment and an indirect effect, via neighborhood-based social interaction. Objective walkability only has a positive direct effect on place attachment.