UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT IN ACTIVE TRAVEL IN RURAL TOWNS IN WISCONSIN

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1011194
• Project No.: WIS01967
• Project Start Date: Nov 18, 2016
• Project End Date: Dec 31, 2019

Project Director
Thorleifsdottir, KR.

Recipient Organization
UNIV OF WISCONSIN
21 N PARK ST STE 6401
MADISON,WI 53715-1218

Performing Department
Landscape Architecture

Non Technical Summary
The purpose of this research is to examine to what extent the quality of the physical environment in rural towns affects people's everyday travel behavior. Almost half of the U.S. adult population lives with chronic diseases, a major cause of morbidity and mortality and the source of 86% of health care spending. Although physical activity decreases the risk of many diseases, barely half of U.S. adults meet the recommendations. Urban environments are positively associated with increased physical activity, particularly increases in active travel (urban form, destination and path availability, connectivity, convenience, streetscape, safety). Although rural populations are less physically active and thus more at risk for lifestyle-related diseases, less is known about the environmental influences on travel behavior in rural areas. The study aims to a) understand residents' perception of active travel and town's walk- and bikeability (natural, built, experiential) and b) guide planning and design professionals, policy-makers and rural communities to take important steps towards health promotion through design and blueprint policy-making strategies. Two towns in Wisconsin will be selected based on similarities in demographic characteristics and differences in lifestyle-related physical health. Data collection methods include a resident questionnaire w/walk-/bikeability scorecard (SPSS quantitative data analysis), a focus group discussion workshop and participant-led town-walks w/interviews and photomapping (Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis). Besides empirical contribution, dissemination materials include website factsheets, journals articles for professionals, and articles in local newspapers. The findings will increase knowledge about the important role the physical environment plays in the promotion of active living in rural towns.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

60%

Developmental

20%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
724	6099	3111	100%

Knowledge Area
724 - Healthy Lifestyle;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3111 - Landscape architecture;

Keywords

small towns

physical activity

active living/travel

walk- and bikeability

town planning and design

Goals / Objectives
The purpose of the proposed research is to better understand to what extent the quality of the physical environment (natural, built and experiential) in small rural towns in northern climates affects people's active travel and thus their health and wellbeing.Specifically, the goals are to: (1) understand rural residents' experience and perception of environmental quality as it relates to everyday active travel and town walk- and bike-ability (encouraging and hindering factors), (2) provide planners, designers and policy-makers with information that helps them in taking important steps towards health promotion in rural towns through evidence-based strategies, and (3) inform and encourage discussion among rural community members about the importance of improving the physical environment to promote active living habits and thus health and wellbeing in small towns.The objectives attached to the first goal are:1. To develop a classification system of environmental determinants of active travel in rural towns based on a review of relevant, cross-disciplinary research literature. The system is intended to provide an overview of active travel determinants and to adapt measurable indicators previously identified in the literature. It will be used to guide the inventory and analysis of towns' physical environment characteristics in terms of walk- and bikeability and data collection. New variables (determinants and indicators) will be added as they emerge from the data. The classification system will be based on three key categories (natural environment features, built environment features and experiential environment features) each including sub-categories of determinants measured with known units (qualitative/categorical variables: nominal, ordinal or dichotomous and/or quantitative/continuous variables: interval or ratio). For more information see methods.2. To conduct an inventory and analysis of physical environment (natural, built and experiential features) in two small towns in rural Wisconsin. The process will be aimed at assessing characteristics that may affect travel choices and mobility patterns. The methods used for data analysis include GIS data sets, archival information, systematic field observations, text descriptions, and photography.3. To collect data on resident perception of town's walk-/bikeability (attributes that promote or hinder active travel) using quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (participant-led town walks including an interview and photomapping and a focus-group discussion workshop) methodological approaches.The objectives attached to the second goal are:To develop a website for the research lab (in construction) where planners, designers and policy-makers have access to study updates/factsheets, journal publications, presentation outlines, policy strategies, and articles in local newspapers etc.To introduce the findings at conferences for planning and design professionals (e.g., ASLA, AIA and APA) and in articles published in professional magazines (e.g., Landscape Architecture Magazine).The objectives attached to the third goal are:To establish apartnership with planning authorities in the target towns.To form a resident working group to participate in a discussion workshop.To publish articles about the study in local newspapers in the target areas.To offer public presentations about how high quality design can positively impact (presentation people's lives through provision of safe, well designed, well maintained and aesthetically pleasing spaces that connect important destinations.

Project Methods
The research paradigm used in this project is a multiple case study approach. Triangulation of data will be achieved through the use of a both qualitative and quantitative data. The following working plans and methods are tied to the previously mentioned goals and objectives.1. The units of analysis are two rural towns in Wisconsin with population of about 2.500. Electronic public health records (EHRs) will be used to identify two counties that differ in population health outcomes (least to most negative) in terms of physical activity and diseases that may be traced directly or indirectly to conditions in the physical environment including injuries, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic lung disease. The EHRs that will be used to guide the selection of counties are: WI Interactive Statistics on Health (WISH), County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW), and Wisconsin Assessment of the Social and Built Environment (WASABE).2. Two small towns, one in each county, will then be selected based on a) similarities in population characteristics using American Fact Finder, b) similarities in demographic characteristics using American Fact Finder (age, gender, ethnicity, income, education etc.), and c) similarities in regional/geographic characteristics including commuting distance to a major urban center (using USDA rural-urban commuting area (RUCA)), geographic location (e.g., inland vs. coastal), land cover (prairie, forested etc.) and other regional landscape characteristic (e.g. slope aspect and elevation) and climatic conditions such as temperature, precipitation, wind, and daylight.3. Following the identification of best-fit towns, the municipalities will be contacted to introduce the study, seek partnership and gain access to geographic information systems.4. A classification system of environmental determinants of active travel in rural towns will be developed based on a review of relevant, cross-disciplinary research literature. The system is intended to provide an empirical overview of active travel determinants and associated measurable indicators for walk- and bikeability. Most of the research on active travel has focused on urban settings. Therefore, the classification system will include an overview of variables for urban settings and identification of variables likely to be applicable in rural towns. Besides providing and systematic overview of empirical knowledge, the classification system will be used to guide the inventory and analysis of towns' physical environment characteristics, and development of data collection instruments (questionnaire survey, resident-led town-walks with interview and photomapping and a discussion workshop). New variables (determinants/indicators) will be added as they emerge from the data. The following four key categories will be used to lead the search for appropriate variables. Each includes layers of sub-categories measured with known qualitative or quantitative units (measurable indicators):a. Natural environment features (+/-): climatic (temperature, precipitation, wind, daylight); geographic structure/landform (e.g., location, elevation, topography, slope aspect, spatial characteristics); vegetation (type, coverage); wildlife (type: birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, roaming domestic animals); water (type, area, access to natural elements, natural areas or nature parks.b. Built environment features (+/-): area, density, land-use, housing, spatial structure, streetscape, street amenities, physical safety (traffic volume and speed, surface quality, lighting, crossings, maintenance etc.); availability of destinations (workplaces, basic amenities, public open space, parks and recreational facilities, social spaces, historic sites); accessibility of destinations (location, proximity, path quality, connectivity, convenience).c. Experiential/sensory attributes (+/-): visual (views, aesthetics, spatial qualities), legibility, uniqueness (e.g., interesting natural/cultural features), olfactory (smells), auditory (sounds), tactile (microclimate, textures), kinesthetic (movement), other sensory factors, and sense of place (ambiance, pleasure, friendliness, playfulness).d. Socio-cultural characteristics of outdoor public spaces: usage patterns, number of people, types of activities (social, optional, necessary), group characteristics etc.5. A four-season inventory and analysis of towns' physical environment characteristics (walk- and bikeability) that may affect travel choices and mobility patterns will be conducted using GIS data sets, archival information, systematic field observations, text descriptions and photography. The assessment of walk- and bikeability will be executed in fall, winter, spring and summer to catch possible seasonal differences that may affect travel choice and mobility patterns including temperature, precipitation, weather, flora and fauna, and seasonal cultural activities.6. Data on residents travel patterns and behavior and perception of town's walk-/bikeability (attributes that promote or hinder active travel) will be collected in three phases:a. A random sampling resident questionnaire (adult population) will be designed and distributed in the target towns. The questionnaire will collect data on travel behavior and environmental perception and include walk- and bikeability scorecard to further assess specific environmental determinants on active travel. To control for possible external influences that may also influence active travel, the questionnaire will include sections on individual characteristics (e.g., general health and ability, age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, length of residency, place of work), demographic/household information (e.g., household characteristics, housing type, location of home, access to private car) and socio-cultural factors (e.g., sense of belonging, travel habits, privacy, social safety, social groups, community encouragement, education about health and active living, planning policy). SPSS or another similar statistical software (JMP) will be used to analyze the quantitative data.b. Using a snowballing technique (initiated through town planning officials), interested individuals will be invited to participate in a half an hour participant-led town walk to point out and discuss important features that affect travel choices. Data collection methods include interview field notes (i-Pad) and geo-referenced photographs (GeoJot or other similar mobile field app). The data will be uploaded to ATLAS.ti or another similar qualitative data analysis software that collects, maps and analyzes qualitative data.c. In collaboration with town officials, a resident focus group will be invited to a discussion workshop where participants will identify, map and discuss features that promote or hinder active travel and possible solutions.In the future, it will be possible to use the research model to collect data in other towns inWisconsin, across states and even towns in other northern climate countries to compare to.

Progress 11/18/16 to 12/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience during the thirdyear of the study were: Local governments and residents in the three small rural towns in WI. Emphasis was placed on continuing the partnerships with the three towns; the Village Boards andfocus groups that were established to assist with survey design (questionnaire distributed inFall 2019).In addition to e-mails and conference calls with key contacts,we made several visits to the towns. In Town 1, we met with the focus group to review a draft of the questionnaire survey. In YR 3, we were able to renew the collaborative partnership with Town 2 (difficulties in communicationin YR 2 caused some delays). To pick up the threads, we held an additional meeting with the focus group to discuss the study, the partnership expectations and the spring 2020course, which will focus on open space in the town. In Town 3(new site), there were several meetings with the focus group and three public meetings; a meeting discussing health and theenviron, and a student-led design workshop withresidents, and a project introduction at aChamber of Commercecounty annualcelebration. University partnerships: Morgridge Center for Public Service and the UniverCity Alliance. Partnerships with these institutions were established in YR 2 and continued in YR 3. The collaboration was very successful and provided great support and increased study credibility, which is important when building and maintaining community partnerships in rural areas. These contacts will play a key role in establishing future research partnerships. Sophomore studentsin Landscape Architecture (LA 321: Designing Health Promoting Environments). The course is a required studio course (practical training) that was developed to enable students to learn about rural communities in a real-life setting. It was the second time the course was offered with a focus on rural communities and the first time it was taught as a community-based learning course (CBL) in collaboration with the Morgridge Center for Public Service Based and the UniverCity Alliance. In the course, students applied preliminary research findings in the development of a masterplan for public open space aimed at improving physical, mental and social health and designs for selected spaces. Changes/Problems:Major changes mainly include adding the third town to the study, tying the study to a landscape architecture studio course I am teaching, and building a partnership with the Morgride Center for Public Service and the UniverCity Alliance. These changes provided my BSLA professional degree program students with a unique opportunity to study real problems in real settings. It also places increased emphasis on the research application. These changes added several annual items to the research agenda including: an introduction to the town where students met key people in the town; hosting a student-led design workshop with residents: hosting a final review of student projects where community members are invited to provide students with constructive feedback; and publication of students work to share with the communities involved. Partnerships with the Morgride Center and the UniverCity Alliance further strengthened the important community-based project foundation and provided the project with an important home base among similar projects. The course project spans a whole semester, starting with an in-depth inventory and analysis of town characteristics, developing a masterplan for open space based on findings from the town analysis and residents design workshop, and designing selected spaces in the town that promote active living. The students have access to the research site inventory and analysis, data sets and maps as well as preliminary research findings. The design workshop and student projects are supported by other sources. Although these changes affected the research plan and caused several delays in data collection and analysis, I believe the long-term gains are more. Some minor methodological/technological changes have been made including testing and abandoning the use of Atlas.ti and ESRI crowdsource app to collect residents' spatial narratives due to technological issues, mainly poor internet connection. As mentioned before, the publication of the lab's website was postponed due to many time-consuming complications prioritization of a peer reviewed journal article rather than web publication of research reports and factsheets on the findings from the spatial walkability analysis in the three towns. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Four graduate level research assistants; three MS graduate students in Urban and RegionalPlanning and one PhD candidate in Sociology. The first three research assistants assisted with study preparation, including literature review, developing an attribute table, and building a GIS data base. They also played a major role in identifying cases studies, establishing contact with partnering towns, gathering and mapping spatial data, running discussion and design workshops, and writing research reports about spatial walkability characteristics. The fourth RA, PhD candidate in Sociology, assisted with survey design, budgeting, statistics, and research papers. Two short term research assistants (BSLA and MSLA students) were also hired to assist with CADmapping, resident workshops, and design of flyers, postcards, and logos. Involvement in a real research project has provided the students with an invaluable experience in a positive and encouraging environment. Students in the CBL Landscape Architecture course (LA321-Designing Health Promoting Environments) have also gained invaluable experience working with research findings in real settings dealing with real issues. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The study was first introduced in the communities with a formal letter explaining the study purpose and objectives. The letter was followed up with a formal meeting with the Village Boards discussing the work plan and timeline, expected contribution and responsibilities regarding the study partnership, the workshops and the Landscape Architecture course, which was not in the initial project plan). The study was introduced in local newspapers on several occasions to encourage local residents to participate the discussion and design workshops with students and the resident questionnaire survey. In the two towns where students have already completed their projects, the projects have been introduced at public meetings and the deliverables have caught much attention. Two of the three towns now also have a copy of the spatial analysis. Public meetings in the three towns are planned in spring 2020 to introduce findings from the resident walkability questionnaire survey. Follow-up plans include research application in the form of an evidence-based masterplan for open space that prioritizes realistic projects and assistance to seek project funding. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To this point, the impact of the study mostly relates to data collection, community outreach and building partnerships. As data collection now approaches completion, five peer reviewed journal articles are in prep and will be published in 2020-21. The focus of these publications spans a wide range including literature review, conceptual model, need for research, methodology and study findings. The study benefits greatly benefit from direct access to people knowledgeable about their everyday environment. We believe that inviting residents to actively participate in research increases community awareness and support. In return the community will benefit from expertise about health promoting town planning and realistic improvement plans. Compared to larger urban centers, many rural communities struggle to keep basic services going, maintaining properties and infrastructure and holding on to the existing population. They feel left out and forgotten. Through our work, we have experienced gratitude, support and excitement. In addition to direct research findings and publications, we hope that the research application continues to encourage these communities to envision a brighter future through adopting evidence-basedtown plans that supportive active living. During the three years of the study, the following objectives have been met: Goal 1 - objective 1: evidence-based attribute table An evidence-based framework for thewalk-and bikeability attribute table was built during YR1 and YR2 as variables continued to emerge from the literature review and the spatial analysis in the three towns. Key findings from this work shows that there is a need to develop an audit tool that includes evidence-based measurable indicators to evaluate walk- and bikeability. Three peer reviewed journal articles that discuss this matter and publish a set of measurable indicators are in prep. and we believe the research contribution will be significant. Two of these articles target academic audiences and the third is aimed at practitioners (see goal 2- objective 1): Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep for fall 2020). Walk- and bikeability in small rural towns: Findings from a spatial analysis in three localities in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prepfor spring2021). Public open space and active travel in small rural towns: Building a research framework (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Goal 1 - objective 2: spatial walkability analysis The collection and analysis of spatial data related to walk- and bikeability is now completed for the three towns. Research reports reporting about spatial characteristics were submitted to Town 1 and Town 3 in 2019. The report for Town 2 will be completed and submitted in summer 2020. The three spatial analysis reports are the backbone for a peer reviewed journal article: Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep for fall 2020). Walk- and bikeability in small rural towns: Findings from a spatial analysis in three localities in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Goal 1 - objective 3: resident perception of walkability Through discussion and design workshops with residents (Town 1 in 2017-18, Town 3 in 2018-19, and Town 2 in spring 2020) and a resident questionnaire survey distributed in the towns in Fall 2019, collected important informationon residents' perception of walkability. The questionnaire response rates were well over 30%, data entry is complete and preliminary findings are starting to emerge for the data sets. The findings will be published in a peer reviewed journal article (in prep for spring 2020) and a peer reviewed conference presentation (CELA 2020): Thorleifsdottir, K. & Hanson Schlachter, L. Rural villages in transition: Findings from a resident walkability questionnaire in three localities in Wisconsin. Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Goal2 - objective 1: contribution to practitioners: research lab and website The website,Living Space - design research lab, has been designed and moved to a UW-Madison server. Originally the plan was to publish the website when the spatial analysis research reports were complete but as these reports are the backbone for a peer reviewed publication (see goal 1 - objective 2), it was decided to delay the website publication until after the journal publication. Another peer reviewed publication geared towards planning and design professionals is in prep: Thorleifsdottir, K. (spring 2021). Active travel in small rural towns: Evidence-based improvement plan for three small villages in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape Architecture Magazine. Goal 2 - objective 2:dissemination Dissemination products include: one conference presentation (EDRA 2017) and one planned (CELA 2020); two conference posters (ALR 2017 and CELA 2019); five peer-reviewed journal articles in prep for 2020 and 2021; three research reports on walk- and bikeability spatial analysis (Town1 2018, Town3 2019, Town2 2020); three articles in local newspapers; two articles on UW-Madison websites and a lab's website (goal 2 - objective 1). GOAL 3 -objective 1:community discussion Study partnership were established with local governments in three rural towns in Wisconsin. Through various sources, e.g. meetings with village boards and focus groups, public discussion and design workshops, articles in local newspapers and websites, and a resident questionnaire, residents were involved in an open discussion about local issues and potential opportunities for change. Partnerships with two cross-disciplinary university initiatives, The Morgridge Center for Public Service and the UniverCity Alliance, provided the study further support. To continue the study and move into research application and project funding, a follow up research proposal has been submitted in collaboration with the towns. Goal 3 - objective 2:community focus groups Focus groups have been established in the three towns. Each group had 5-7 members and one contact person. The focus groups participated in a discussion workshop about health and open space (12-20 residents), contributed to students site visits, participated in student-led design workshops (14-17 students and 9-26 residents), and contributed to the development of a resident questionnaire survey. All meetings and workshops were open to the general public. Goal 3 - objective 3:local publications Two research reports on spatial walk- and bikeability have been shared with the partnering towns (Town 1 2018, Town 3 2019) and the third will be completed and shared in summer 2020 (Town 2). Three articles about study and the course have been published in local newspapers and one more article will be published this spring in Town 2 (see goal 2 - objective 2). In addition, two articles on UW-Madison websites. Goal 3 - objective 4: public presentations A part of the discussion and design workshops in Town 1 and Town 3 included a short presentation on environment-related health issues in rural communities and how environmental design may help improve health by encouraging healthier habits.A similar presentation is planned in spring 2020 as a part of a design workshop with residents in Town2. In May 2020, the findings from the resident questionnaire will be formally introduced in each of the towns. These presentations will be open to the public and invite discussions about how design of public open space can positively impact people's lives through provision of safe, well designed, well maintained and aesthetically pleasing spaces.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Thorleifsdottir, K. & Hanson Schlachter, L. (in prep). Rural villages in transition: Findings from a resident walkability questionnaire in three localities in Wisconsin. Peer reviewed abstract accepted for CELA spring 2020 (annual conference of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture).
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Thorleifsdottir, K. & Hanson Schlachter, L. (in prep for spring 2020). Rural villages in transition: Findings from a resident walkability questionnaire in three localities in Wisconsin. Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep for summer 2020). Why invest in health promoting open space and route infrastructure in struggling rural towns and villages? A realistic option or unrealistic utopian dream? (working title). Target journal: Landscape Journal.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep for fall 2020). Walk and bikeability in small rural towns: Findings from a spatial analysis in three localities in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2021 Citation: Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep for spring 2021). Public open space and active travel in small rural towns: Building a research framework (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2021 Citation: Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep for spring 2021). Active travel in small rural towns: Evidence-based improvement plan for three small villages in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape Architecture Magazine.
• Type: Other Status: Submitted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Research reports for spatial analysis were completed and submitted to Town1 and Town3 in 2019 and will be completed for Town2 in 2020.
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Research application. Project coverage on UW website news (April 26, 2019): https://news.wisc.edu/univercity-green-county-celebrate-year-of-community-building/
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Research application. Project coverage in the local newspaper Post Messenger Recorder (April 11, 2019): https://www.postmessengerrecorder.com/story/2019/04/11/community/promoting-health-and-well-being-in-monticello-through-public-open-space-design/7798.html?fbclid=IwAR1RSkglRNQYE59fHjDtTxyL_9tXw9CJywce5l9O0A5MjCIhqIRZm2uZvuc
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Research application. Project coverage on the University Alliance website/report: Designing healthy spaces in Monticello. Landscape Architecture 321: Environment and Behavior Studio  Designing Health Promoting Environments. Professor Krist�n Thorleifsd�ttir: download report here: https://univercity.wisc.edu/greencounty/#healthhttps://univercity.wisc.edu/greencounty/#health

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience during the second year of this study were: 1. Local governments and residents in the two (three) small townsin rural Wisconsin. Difficulties in communication with one of the original towns has detained data collection. Therefore, the third town was added. Emphasis has been placed on introducing the study to the Village Board of the third town to lay the groundwork for successful partnerships and effective study contacts. 2. Sophomore students taking a requiredCBL studio course in Landscape Architecture. The course was pilot taught in Spring 2018. It was developed to enable students to learn about rural communities in a real life setting. Based on preliminary research findingsstudents develop health promoting improvement plans in collaboration with the partnering towns and propose public open space designs aimed at improving physical, mental and social community health. Tying the study to coursework enablesfurther testing of preliminary findings and addition of other possiblyoverlooked data. 3. Networking and building partnerships with UW centers; the UniverCity Alliance and the Morgridge Center. The UniverCity Alliance (UCA) is a university wide initiative which connects education, service and research activities across UW-Madisonwith WI communities, furthering the practice of sustainability (https://univercity.wisc.edu/). Building study partnerships with small towns will now be made through UCA (the third town was added through this channel). The UCA will play an important role in the study in terms of community introductions and disseminationbut alsoin terms of reaching othercommunities as the study hopefully continues to grow.A partnership was also developed with the Morgridge Center for Public Service, which connects campus and community through service, service learning and community-based research to build a thriving democratic society (https://morgridge.wisc.edu/). This partnership assistswith building community partnerships and preparing RAs, TAsand students taking my CBL studio course to be their best civic selves for lifelong civic engagement by building capacity, in partnership with the community, to address complex problems locally and globally. Changes/Problems:At the urging of the department's executive committee and my tenure mentor committee, I had planned for an ambitious and critically productive year of writing to be on track for my upcoming departmental review and contract renewal in spring 2019.Unfortunately, Iwas not able to meet these expectations as my research productivity in 2018 was significantly affected by seriousillness and death in my immediate family and other difficult personal circumstances.These unforeseencircumstanceshave caused delays inpublications that were scheduled during the second reporting year, completion of a research report for the first town,and the delivery of a questionnaire in the two (of three) partnering communities. Based on these reasons, I applied for and was granted a one-year extension of my tenure track. Despite these difficulties as well as problems in communication with the second town (which has been postponed until 2020), I managed to draft two research papers (now scheduled for spring 2019 submission), build a partnership with a newtown (the third), and build partnerships with two university wide community-based initiatives that will play an important role in the future success of this research and myCBL studio course(UniverCity Alliance and the Morgridge Center). Other changes that occurred during the second reporting year were: a) discontinued use of data collection through the ESRI crowdsource app due to difficulties with access to mobile devices and poor internet reception in rural areas, b)discontinued village-walks with residents documenting spatial narratives due to long commuting distances and difficulties in scheduling the walks, c)cancellation of health promoting plans for each village due to unsuccessful funding applications, d) changing factsheetsto special research reports for each partnering town as these reports include more information about site specific data and can more easily be changed into evidence-baseto support for future planningdocuments. These reports will also be accessible on the lab's website and will also serve as fundamental analytical tools for papers about research findings. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Since the beginning, three grad students in Urban and Regional Planning have been hired to assist with various tasks including work with GIS data sets, literature and archival search, analysis and mapping, writing reports and assisting with planning and leading meetings and workshops. Two have attended conferences on the topic and assisted with preparing posters and presentations. The first RAworked on the project October 2016through May 2017, the second started in June 2017and continued until graduation inMay 2018, and the third started in summer 2018 and will continue until graduation in May 2019. In addition, the partnership with the Morgridge Center enables another graduate student intern an experience through assisting with teaching students in the CBL Landscape Architecture studio course about working in a real life setting. Finally, student involvement in a real life research projectthrough the studio course provides about 15 undergraduatestudents every year with an invaluable experience in a positive and encouraging environment. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The following dissemination materials have been/will be shared with the partnering communities: Research reports thatinclude data analysis about factors that promote or hinder active travelincluding various geo-spatial features, socio-demographic characteristics and archival/historical data and experiential factors. Besides being submitted to partnering towns the reports will also be shared with institutional partners throughthe lab's website: Town 1: scheduled for earlyspring 2019 Town 2: on hold Town 3: in prep for summer 2019 Research-based student work - improvements plans and designs for public open space that promotes health and active living (24x36 prints and PDF). Town 1: submitted and introduced to community in summer 2018 Town 2: on hold Town 3: in prep for summer 2019 Articles in local newspapers Ladysmith News, October 19, 2017 Ladysmith News, March 15th, 2018 Community meetings and workshops: Town 1: discussion workshop with residents (fall 2017) and design workshop with residents and students (spring 2018) Town 2: on hold Town 3: discussion workshop with focus group (fall 2018), design workshop with residents and students (in prep for spring 2019). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the last reporting period, emphasis will be placed on completing data collection and research reports for the first and third towns and to submit three papers to peer reviewed academic journals. In Spring 2019, the goal is to distribute a resident questionnaire in the first and third towns (see Changes and Problems), host a workshop in the thirdtown with residents and Landscape Architecture students, andhost an event where students present their evidence-based plans for improvements. Oneresearch paperwill be submitted to peer reviewed journaland a poster presented at a conference followed with a publication in conference proceedings: 1. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. for spring 2019 submission).Why invest in health promoting open space and route infrastructure in struggling rural towns and villages? A realistic option or unrealistic utopian dream? (working title). Target journal: Landscape Journal. 2. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. spring 2019 submission). Health-promotion through design: Increasing active living in small rural towns in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: CELA 2019 conference proceedings. In Summer 2019, the plan is to analyze the resident questionnaire andcomplete the research report for the third town. One paper will be submitted to a peer reviewed journal: 3. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. summer 2019 submission). Active travel in small rural towns: Building a conceptual research framework (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. In Fall 2019,emphasis will be placed on completing the fourth peer reviewed paperand continue thework on the fifth paper: 4. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. for fall 2019 submission). Walk- and bikeability in small rural towns: Findings from a spatial analysis in two (three?) towns in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. 5. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. spring 2020 submission). Active Travel in small rural towns: Findings from a resident questionnaire in two (three?) towns in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Throughout the period, the plan is to continue to addinformation to the lab's website and share with the communities and other interest groups.Data gathering in the second town will also continue in 2020.Due to unforeseen delays (see Changes and Problems), the articleand presentations aimed at professional audienceswill be postponeduntil2020: 6. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. 2020 -professional audience).Active travel in small rural towns: Evidence-based improvement plan for two (three?) towns in Wisconsin. Target journal: Landscape Architecture Magazine.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the second yearof the study, the following objectives have been met (in addition to those reported in the first progress report): Goal 1 - objective 1:New variables have been added to the attribute table (classification system) as they continue to emerge from the literatureand data collection. Due to unforeseen circumstances (seeChanges and Problems), submission of peer reviewed publications tied to this objective have been delayed. The revised plan forincludes the following two papers: 1. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. for spring 2019 submission). Why invest in health promoting open space and route infrastructure in struggling rural towns and villages? A realistic option or unrealistic utopian dream? (working title). Target journal: Landscape Journal. 2. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. summer 2019 submission). Active travel in small rural towns: Building a conceptual research framework (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Goal 1 - objective 2: Collection and analysis of geo-spatial, demographic and archival/historical data related to walk- and bikeability has beencompleted inthe first town (summer2018),mostly completed in the second town (now on hold until 2019-2020, see Changes and Problems), and will becompleted inthe thirdtown (spring 2019). Research reports will be delivered to each town and published on the lab's website (see Changes and Problems). The research report for the first townwas completed in Fall 2018and will be published in early spring 2019, the report for the second town is on hold, and the report for the third town is sheduledin Summer 2019. One peer reviewed papertied to thisobjective is scheduled: 3. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. for fall 2019 submission - Findings 1). Walk- and bikeability in small rural towns: Findings from a spatial analysis in two (three?) towns in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Goal 1 - objective 3: Two discussion workshops with residents have been held in the first townand one in the third town. A second workshop in the thirdtown is scheduled in March 2019. Problems in communication with the study contact in the second town havecauseddelays in data collection through resident discussions (on hold until2020). Due to unforeseen reasons discussed in Changes and Problems, distribution of the resident questionnairehas been rescheduled forspring2019. Also, data collection using and ESRI crowdsource app and village-walks has been discontinued (see Changes and Problems). Instead, members of focus groups have been encouraged to share photographs with the research team by e-mail. One peer reviewed publication tied to this objective is scheduled: 4. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. spring 2020 submission - findings II). Active Travel in small rural towns: Findings from a resident questionnaire in two (three?) towns in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Goal2 - objective 1:The lab's website, Living space - design research lab, has been designed and moved to a UW-Madison server. The website will be published when the first research reportwill be completed in Spring 2019. Goal 2 - objective 2:A poster proposal was submitted and has now been accepted for the annual CELA conference (Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture) in March 2019. Following the poster presentation, a paper will be submitted to the CELA conference proceedings. 5. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. Spring 2019 submission). Health-promotion through design: Increasing active living in small rural towns in Wisconsin (working title). Target journal: CELA 2019 conference proceedings. The poster introduces a new model for an integrated community-based research-teaching project. Thisintergration of this research and coursework is a new addition to the study which provides undergrauate students in Landscape Architecture a unique opportunity to learn about community-plnning in rural areas. Students will use data sets and preliminary research findings (geo-spatial, archival and socio-demographic datato support development of health promoting improvement plans and open space designs for the partnering towns. The study also gains from this as students further test preliminary findings and may bring up additionalperspectives. The new course is linked to the UW UniverCity Alliance (UCA), which connects education, service and research across UW-Madison with local communities and the UW Morgridge Center for Public Service (MC). The partnership with the Morgridge Center provides a grad student intern an opportunity to be actively involved in the course and assist with preparing undergrad students for community work. In addition to sharing research findings (research reports and papers) and student work (improvement plans and open space designs) with partnering communities, the partnership with UCA and MCprovides a opportunities for continued outreach. Another paper for professional audience is in prep for 2020 submission: 6. Thorleifsdottir, K. (in prep. 2020 - professional audience). Active travel in small rural towns: Evidence-based improvement plan for two (three?) towns in Wisconsin. Target journal: Landscape Architecture Magazine. Goal3 - objective 1:A study partnership was established with two towns during the first year and the third partnership was added during the second grant year. Contact with the first two towns was made through the League of Wisconsin Municipalities but the third was the result of a collaborative effort with the UW UniverCity Alliance. As in the first two case study sites, the research team (PI and RA) was invited to a Village Board meeting to further introduce the study, its goals and objectives (research and coursework) and a partnership contracts were signed, and a contact appointed. Goal 3 - objective 2: Resident focus groups have been established in the first and third towns. Two focus group discussion workshops that were also open to the general public were held in the first town during the first reporting year. The first workshop was led by the PI, RA, one grad and one undergrad assistants). The second workshop also included 15 undergrad students in Landscape Architecture. Both were open to the general publicand had over twenty resident participants. In the third town, the first of two workshops was held in October 2018 (led by the PI and RA). This workshop was limited to the focus group (12 attendees). The second workshop is scheduled in March 2019. It will be open to the public and provide 13 undergrad students an opportunity to learn directly from residents. Goal 3 - objective 3: An article is in prep for the third town and will be published in a local newspaper in February 2019 as apart of an introduction by UniverCity Allience about UCA county wide projects. The article will introduce the research project, the LA studio course and the discussion workshop scheduled in March 2019. Goal 3 - objective 4: A part of the discussion workshops in the first and third towns include a short presentation on the problems facing rural communities and how environmental design may help improve health by encouraging healthier habits. A more formal public presentation is planned when study findings and improvement plan for the villages have been completed.

Publications

Progress 11/18/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience during the first year of this study has been the people inthe two case studies. We have placed great emphasis on introducing the study to the Village Boards to lay the groundwork for successful partnerships and effective study contacts. Contact with the two target towns was made throughtheLeague ofWisconsin Municipalities. The organizationwill play an important role in our study in terms of disseminationbut alsoreaching othercommunities as the study hopefully continues to grow. In terms of academic and practitioner, we have mainly focused on three target audiences;active livingresearchers(Planning, Public health and Transportation),environmentaldesign researchers(Environment & Behavior,Landscape Architecture and Architecture), andprofessional planners and public health officials. To reachactive living researchers, we presented a peer reviewed poster at the annual Active Living Research conference in Clearwater Beach FL in February 2017. The poster presented findings from an extensivereview of active travel research with a focus on small rural communities and an evolving conceptual model based on design theories,whichespecially captured the attention of the audience. To reachenvironmentaldesign researchers, we presented a peer reviewed paper at the annual Environmental, Design Research Association (EDRA) in Madison WI in June 2017. The paper presentation focused on the findings from the literature review and the importance of building a holistic conceptual model to frame research variables. Finally, to reachprofessional planning and public healthofficials, a peer reviewed paper was presented at theWalking Summit (by WalkAmerica) in St. Paul MI in September 2017. The purpose of the presentation was to discuss the study's methodological framework. Although perhaps not target audiences, during the firstyear we also focused on networking. We made contact withmanyState and County level agenciesto gathergeographic Informationdata sets (GIS) to build complete data sets for the two villages. We also contacted several State and County level agencies to inquire aboutpublic health data sets(EHRs) and met with researchers at UW-Madisoninstitutions to inquire about data sets being developed at the university. Some of these contacts will be important as we continue to develop this study and develop future research partnerships. Changes/Problems:No major changes have been made. After building a partnership with the two villages, it was decided to increase the focus on research application materials. In partnership with the Village Boards, a design workshop with residents will be hosted in each village. The workshops will be led by the research team and students in the UW-Madison professional Landscape Architecture degree program. Following each design workshop, the students will develop evidence-based health promoting improvement plans for the village focusing on increasing the availability, quality and accessibility of public open space. The students will have access to the research site inventory and analysis, data sets and maps as well as preliminary findings form the residents' walk- and bikeability perception questionnaire (testing findings). The first design workshop is scheduled in Village B in spring 2018. The student projects will be introduced in the village and residents encouraged to provide feedback. The research team will continue and develop a final improvement plan for the village. The added design workshop, student project and improvement plan is supported by other sources than USDA NIFA.Due to these changes, further data collection in Village A has been postponed until fall 2018, starting with a discussion workshop with the residents. The same student/research team improvement plan project is planned for Village A in spring 2019. Some minor methodological/technological changes have been made including using a new ESRI crowdsource app to collect residents' spatial narratives instead of Atlas.ti. The opening of the lab's website has also been delayed due to many complications. The website design is done and we expect it to be up and running in January 2018. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two 50% graduate level research assistants, both MS graduate students in Urban and RegionalPlanning have been hired. The first graduate student worked on the project from October 2016 through May 2017. The second started in June 2017 and will continue until May 2018. The research assistants have assisted with building a GIS base, analysis and mapping. They have also played a major role in identifying cases studies establishing contact with partner villages, gathering and mapping spatial data, preparing a resident questionnaire, searching relevant literature and drafting research papers. One additional short term research assistant was also hired to assist with special CADmapping. Two students have also assisted with the resident discussion workshop in Village B; one Landscape Architecture graduate student and one undergrad Landscape Architecture student.The involvement in a real research project has provided the students with an invaluable experience in a positive and encouraging environment. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The research project was first introduced in the community through a formal letter explaining the purpose and objectives of the project. The second project introduction was at a formal meeting with the village boards discussing the work plan and timeline, expected contribution and responsibilities in regard to the study partnership. During field data collection (RALA audits and seasonal photography (many residents showed interest in the study and we used this as an opportunity to generate interest in the two villages. In Village B, the study was further introduced in a local newspaper and local residents encouraged to participate in a discussion workshop with residents (focus group). Follow up dissemination in partnering communities include factsheets, an invitation to participate in a design workshop (in spring 2018) and a presentation of student work (15 designs to improve active living). The research findings and an evidence-based plan for realistic improvements will be introduced in Fall 2018 in Village B in the form of a public presentation. A similar approach is planned for Village A in 2019. Under publications, in the interview in a book, Dr. Thorleifsdóttir is one of seven Icelandic architects and landscape architects discussing the state of architecture in Iceland at the beginning of the 21st century. The interview with Dr. Thorleifsdóttir focuses on innovative methods to enrich public live and community wellbeing by applying participatory methods in the planning and design of public open space. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In Spring 2018 in Village B, we will a) continue to gather residents' spatial narratives (photographs and text) using an ESRI crowdsource app and village-walks, b) distribute a resident questionnaire, and c) host a design workshop with 15 Landscape Architecture students, and d) host an event where students introduce their evidence-based designs for improvements. Two research papers will be submitted to peer reviewed journals. In Summer 2018, the plan is to analyse the resident questionnaire and develop a final evidence-based, health promoting plan for Village B. In Fall 2018, we will introduce the research findings for Village B along with an evidence-based improvement plan. The plan is to write an article based on the findings for Village B and submit to a professional journal. The article will be followed up with presentations at planning and design conferences. Simultaneously, we will continue our work in Village A: introduce the study in a local newspaper, host a discussion workshop (establish a focus group), distribute the questionnaire, and collect residents' spatial narratives using the ESRI crowdsource photomapping app. Throughout the period, we will continue to add factsheets and other valuable information to the lab's website and share with the communities and other interest groups.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The impact of the study so far is mostly related to community outreach and building partnerships. The study benefits greatly from direct access to people who are knowledgeable about their everyday environment. We believe that inviting residents to actively participate in research increases community awareness and support. In return the community will benefit from access to expertise about health promoting town planning and realistic improvement plans. Compared to larger urban centers, many small rural towns and villages barely thrive today. They struggle to keep basic services going, maintaining properties and infrastructure and holding on to the existing population. They feel left out and forgotten. Through our work in small Wisconsin communities, we have experienced gratitude, support and excitement. In addition to direct research findings, we hope that the research application will encourage small communities to envision a brighter future through adopting evidence-based town plans that supportive active living. During the first year of the study, the following objectives were met: Goal 1 Objective 1 A review ofactive travel literature was conducted in fall 2016-spring 2017. Physical environment determinants of active travel andmeasureable indicators were entered to anattribute table (classification system) and grouped into three key categories: destinations, route infrastructure and route experience. A diagrammatic conceptual model was developed based on relevant design theories. The variables from the active travel literature were added to the model to identify gaps in the literature and other possible environmental determinants of active travel. The findings were presented at two highly respected peer-reviewed conferences: a poster at the 2017 Active Living Research conference and a presentation at the 2017 Environment, Design, Research Association conference. A peer reviewed paper (in prep): Thorleifsdottir, K. and Stushek, K. Active travel in small rural towns: Building a conceptual research framework. Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. Objective 2 The attribute table guided a systematic inventory and analysis of site-specific physical environment attributes (determinants of active travel) in the two villages. We collected various archival, population and geo-spatial data in the villages and surrounding regions and created maps at a local and regional scale. We also used the Rural Active Living Assessment (RALA) audit tool to evaluate general walk- and bikeability in the villages (Town-Wide, Program and Policy, and Street Segments). The street segments assessment recorded information about land use, buildings, sidewalks, street traffic, route connectivity, and general walkability and aesthetics. Given the small size of the villages, every street was audited in February-May 2017. RALA evaluates environmental quality from an outsider's perspective and is a street-observation oriented tool. It lacks consideration of off-street elements such as paths, trails, public open space and natural areas, details that may contribute to pedestrian experiences, differences by season, times of day, days of the week and weather etc., and environmental perception of every-day users. To capture more in-depth spatial information, both villages were visited four times in 2017 to collect geo-referenced seasonal photographs and walk off-street spaces. Objective 3 The above methods assess environment characteristics from an outsider's perspective. To better understand residents' collective experiences of walk- and bikeability, we hosted a discussion workshop with the focus group in Village B in October 2017. During the workshop, we collected residents' mental maps of the village (identifying important physical environment characteristic) and performed a SWOT analysis (mapping strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in regard to active travel). The workshop gave space for residents to share their perceptions and experiences of the village, while thinking critically about opportunities to increase active living. The workshop was introduced in a front-page article of a local newspaper. It was well attended with 24 adult participants and the discussions were open and interesting. Key findings were summarized in a factsheet, which was shared with the focus group. During the workshop, we introduced an ESRI crowdsource app where residents can upload photos and text descriptions. Through the app, we hope to collect residents' stories concerning pedestrian experiences. To encourage the use of the app, we instigated resident-led village walks. The app remains open while the study is active. To better understand resident uses, experiences and perceptions of walk- and bikeability, a questionnaire survey has been designed and will be distributed in Village B in January 2018. The methodology was presented at the National Walking Summit (America Walks) in fall 2017. A peer reviewed paper (in prep): Thorleifsdottir, K. and Pearce, T. Active travel in small rural towns: A Methodological framework. Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning. GOAL 2 Objective 1 The new research lab has been founded "Living space - design research lab" and a new website designed. The website is now being transferred to a UW-Madison server and will be opened in January 2018. Objective 2: Nothing to report. GOAL 3 Objective 1 A study partnership with the Village Boards in the two villages has been established. Contact was made through the League of Wisconsin Municipalities. The study was introduced in a formal letter explaining the study purpose, goals, objectives, expected outcomes, work- and timetable and partnership expectations. In both cases, the research team was invited to a Village Board meeting to further introduce the study. Partnership contracts were signed in both villages and a contact person appointed. The participatory research approach has been an intentional and important aspect throughout the study. From the beginning, it was clear that the success of the study would depend on the collaborative effort. We now have more experience of the partnerships. Having an outstanding and respected contact has been extremely valuable, especially in terms of declared public support, access to meeting facilities, and facilitate connection to many prominent community members who have interest in the matter. Objective 2 In this study, all adult residents are invited and encouraged to participate and establishing a stable focus group of local residents is important. In Village B, the group of residents that participated in the discussion workshop in October 2017 is considered the focus group for the study and the contact person is the Village President. The group has 24 active residents who care about the future of the village. In Village A, the discussion workshop and thus forming of a focus group, is planned in fall 2018. Objective 3 The first article to be published in a local newspaper was published in the Ladysmith News in October 2017. The article was on the front page and discussed the study and the discussion workshop in Village B the following week. The factsheet discussing workshop findings will be shared with the same newspaper and the design workshop planned in spring 2018 will also be introduced there. Objective 4 A part of the discussion workshop held in Village B in October of 2017 included a short presentation on the problems facing rural communities and how environmental design may help improve health by encouraging healthier habits. A more formal public presentation is planned when study findings and improvement plan for the villages have been completed.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Peer reviewed poster presented at the Active Living Research (ALR) annual conference in Clearwater Beach, FL, February 2017. Title: Walk- and Bikeability in Small Rural Towns: A Literature Review.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Peer reviewed paper (in prep): Thorleifsdottir, K. and Stushek, K. Active travel in small rural towns: Building a conceptual research framework (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Interview in book (in Icelandic): Sigur�ard�ttir, S. and Reuter, D. 2017. Snert � Arkitekt�r. Reykjavik: H�sk�la�tg�fan.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Peer reviewed paper (in prep): Thorleifsdottir, K. and Pearce, T. Active travel in small rural towns: Methodological framework (working title). Target journal: Landscape and Urban Planning.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Peer reviewed presentation at the Environment Design Research Association (EDRA) annual conference in Madison, Wisconsin, June 2017. Title: Walk- and Bikeability in Small Rural Towns: A Literature Review.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Peer reviewed presentation at the National Walking Summit (America Walks) in St. Paul MI, September 2017. Title: Walk- and bikeability in small rural towns: Methodological approach.