Exploring spatial analysis on health and quality of life perception using participatory mapping data

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Volume Title

School of Engineering | Master's thesis

Date

2024-12-31

Department

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering

Language

en

Pages

50

Series

Abstract

This master’s thesis aimed to explore the relationship between urban transport conditions and their environmental impacts on residents' perceptions of their quality of life and perceived health within individual activity spaces. The dataset was completed in 2020 as part of MyEspoo project using the Maptionnaire approach, as a part of the PPGIS (Public Participation GIS) method. A total of 1,127 respondents from Espoo and Kauniainen provided data on 13,801 marked locations (frequently visited places) across the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. These data were used for spatial modelling to assess individual activity space areas. The data about infrastructure availability and noise exposure level from urban streets were gathered from open data sources. Spearman’s Rank correlation was used to examine the relationship between explanatory and perceived variables. The results indicate that most of the respondents recorded their activity within the range of 66.12 km2. Within their individual activity spaces, most respondents have their activities with 3 -16 public transport stops per square kilometre, 23 intersections per square kilometre, and are exposed to noise in the range of 55-59 dB. The correlation between transport infrastructure availability with perceived variables is not significantly impacted. A minor increase in noise exposure can lead to different health perceptions, especially in prolonged periods. A similar pattern has been shown with the perceived quality of life towards noise exposure levels, as the noise increases, the perceived quality of life decreases. The results show the transport infrastructure may improve accessibility and connectivity, but not directly impact an individual. The noise from urban streets has a significant impact but does not immediately affect an individual's feelings about their well-being.

Description

Supervisor

Rinne, Tiina

Thesis advisor

Hasanzadeh, Kamyar

Keywords

perceived health, quality of life, well-being, individual activity space, spatial analysis, PPGIS

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