Table 1.
Observed Environmental Features from Mall Environmental Audit
| Audit results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audit domains | Environment features | Malls (n = 10) | Nonmalls (n = 6) | P valuea |
| External environment | Public transit stops | 100% | 67% | .12 |
| Sheltered | 50% | 33% | .72 | |
| Seating | 60% | 17% | .28 | |
| Trip/fall hazards | 40% | 17% | .54 | |
| Marked walkway to entrance | 50% | 17% | .86 | |
| Distance in feet to entry, average (SD) | 220 (230) | 303 (206) | .54 | |
| Parking available on site | 80% | 83% | .64 | |
| Close to entry | 100% | 100% | 1.0 | |
| Accessible | 90% | 83% | .62 | |
| Well lit | 70% | 67% | .64 | |
| Marked walkway to entrance | 20% | 50% | .86 | |
| Traffic control near walkways | 40% | 67% | .61 | |
| Number of entries unlocked, average (SD) | 5 (2.62) | 2 (.75) | .004 | |
| Places to rest near entrance | 50% | 50% | 1.0 | |
| Aesthetically pleasing | 30% | 67% | .30 | |
| Physical disorderb | 40% | 0% | .23 | |
| Internal general | Wayfinding aids | 80% | 67% | .60 |
| Directional signs to key landmarks | 80% | 67% | .60 | |
| Information kiosks | 90% | 83% | 1.0 | |
| Maps indicating “you are here” | 100% | 33% | .008 | |
| Amenities | 100% | 100% | 1.0 | |
| Benches | 100% | 83% | .38 | |
| Drinking fountains (working) | 50% | 83% | .31 | |
| Handrails on stairs | 50% | 50% | 1.0 | |
| Payphones | 20% | 0% | .50 | |
| Restrooms available | 100% | 100% | 1.0 | |
| Clearly marked | 100% | 67% | .12 | |
| Well lit | 90% | 67% | .52 | |
| Clean/maintained | 90% | 100% | 1.0 | |
| Physical disorderc | 30% | 33% | 1.0 | |
| Walking environment | Doors unlocked during nonbusiness hours for walkers | 100% | 50% | .04 |
| Designated walking route | 50% | 83% | .31 | |
| Circuit | 90% | 80% | 1.0 | |
| Route length in feet, average (SD) | 3365 (1970) | 3835 (5536) | .86 | |
| Trip/fall hazards | 30% | 50% | .61 | |
| Lighting issues along route | 50% | 17% | .31 | |
| Walking support and resources | ||||
| Structured programd | 40% | 50% | 1.0 | |
| Program leader | 40% | 67% | .61 | |
| Other walkers | 90% | 100% | 1.0 | |
| Building security visible | 70% | 17% | .12 | |
| Welcoming | 60% | 67% | 1.0 | |
| No competing use | 50% | 50% | 1.0 | |
a
P value from 2-sided Fisher’s exact test (some cells were too small for c2 test) or t test.
b
Physical disorder (external) defined as graffiti; abandoned cars; broken/boarded windows; drug paraphernalia; broken glass, liquor bottles/cans; litter on mall property or walkways.
c
Physical disorder (internal) defined as graffiti, stores shuttered, debris or overflowing trash cans.
d
Structured program defined as a formal walking program beyond unlocked doors before business hours, could include registration, progress tracking, motivational signage, exercise stations and accommodations for walkers of varying ability.