A systems thinking approach to explore the structure of urban walking and health promotion in Seoul

Objectives: This study aimed to examine systems behavior of urban walking by analyzing a dynamic structure in Seoul, South Korea. Methods: As a systems thinking approach to urban walking and health promotion, we developed a Casual Loop Diagram based on literature review and expert consultation. The reviewed literature included: 1) qualitative studies that explores the experiences of urban walkers in Seoul; 2) a systematic review study on the built environmental factors related to walking; 3) policy research reports related to urban walking in Seoul. Results: The feedback structure for urban walking was related to the three urban environments (safety & walking environment, socioeconomic environment, and public transportation environment), and was characterized by a trade-off consisting of eight reinforcing loops and four balancing loops. Conclusions: The policies for a walkable city require multi-sectoral cooperation in order to change the causal loop structure related to the decline of walking. Therefore, it is necessary to establish legal and institutional conditions so that multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches are possible.

서울시민의 보행과 건강증진에 관한 시스템 사고 기반의 구조 탐색