Built environments for physical activity: a longitudinal descriptive analysis of Sao Paulo city, Brazil

Abstract

City policies and plans play an important role in promoting physical activity through changes in the urban design and transportation systems. The objectives of this study were to describe longitudinal changes in the built environment relevant to leisure-time physical activity and active travel in Sao Paulo city, Brazil, between 2015 and 2020; to describe these changes according to regions of the city, census tracts’ income, and buffer zones around the residences of participants in a cohort. Using data from public online libraries, cross-checked with the specific municipal and state secretariats, the following were measured: public squares, parks, sports facilities, community clubs, outdoor g..