Safe Spaces for Women to be Physically Active in Greater Noida City, India

Abstract

Introduction: Women in urban India have low levels of physical activity, and the lack of safe spaces to be physically active is likely an important factor. The objectives were to develop a spatial database of areas and facilities in order to assess conduciveness to physical activity in Greater Noida, to assess the safety and usability of roadways and community parks in this area, and to complement these data with the first-hand impressions and viewpoints of women in the city. Methods: For 10 sectors of Greater Noida City, we used a mixed-methods approach to assess areas conducive to physical activity with geographic information systems mapping techniques, and examined the safety and usability of roadways and community parks with modified road walkability and park usability field surveys. Ten focus groups with women in six of the sectors elicited their viewpoints on the availability of safe spaces. Results: Walkability and safety of roads was poor, with the larger primary roads being particularly difficult for pedestrians to cross. In sectors of low socioeconomic status, walkability of roads and availability of community parks were lower than in other sectors. Wide variation of community park usability existed within sectors, with a notable absence of amenities such as bathrooms. Focus group sessions revealed that fear of personal safety and of attack from men prevented women from engaging in physical activity in public spaces. Conclusions: In the rapidly urbanizing Greater Noida, walkable roadways and community parks with basic amenities are lacking, and may contribute to the low level of physical activity in women in urban India. Further, a fear for personal safety hinders women from engaging in physical activity in public spaces. As India continues to urbanize, a greater focus on the improved usability and increased safety of roadways and parks will be necessary to increase population physical activity.