Pathways and policy : approaches to community resource access, health and wellbeing in two New Zealand cities : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health at Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

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dc.contributor.authorField, Adrian
dc.date.accessioned2010-09-26T23:37:30Z
dc.date.availableNO_RESTRICTIONen_US
dc.date.available2010-09-26T23:37:30Z
dc.date.issued2004
dc.description.abstractThis research examines access to community resources - services, facilities and amenities that are potentially health promoting - in two New Zealand territorial authorities, and the policy and planning frameworks of each regarding community resources. International research evidence indicates that community resource access is potentially beneficial to health and wellbeing, through creating supportive environments for health, and providing venues to facilitate social connections. Review of the urban design and planning literature indicates that community resource access is strongly influenced by the dominant urban design and planning models. Geographic information systems were used to develop a Census meshblock-based indicator of community resource accessibility (the Community Resource Accessibility Index). Quantitative analysis examined associations of resource access with socio-economic and demographic population patterns. Qualitative analysis, using key informant interviews and document analysis, explored policies on community resource access, and the role of health and wellbeing as a policy goal for each territorial authority. Quantitative analysis revealed the socio-economically wealthier city had higher overall levels of community resource access, but within each city, more deprived areas had higher levels of access. The location of community resources within poorer areas reduces the mobility costs of people within these areas to access such resources, and makes more available the general health benefits of community resources. Qualitative analysis indicated community resources are important components of urban strategies. Historic patterns of community resource development, aggregated city wealth and local policies were important determinants of the level of community resource access. In New Zealand, as will be the case internationally to varying degrees, there is considerable scope for territorial authorities to enhance local health and wellbeing, through direct delivery of community resources, and through collaboration with external agencies to develop community resources that are outside the direct responsibilities of territorial authorities. When these findings are considered in the context of the passage of local government legislation in late 2002, there is growing potential for territorial authorities to use a variety of levers to enhance community resource access, and by implication, health and wellbeing. Health promoters have opportunities to engage with local government and contribute to urban development strategies, for the purposes of enhancing population health and reducing health inequalities.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/1692
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectPublic healthen_US
dc.subjectCity planningen_US
dc.subjectCommunity lifeen_US
dc.subjectNew Zealanden_US
dc.subjectWaitakereen_US
dc.subjectNorth Shore Cityen_US
dc.subject.otherFields of Research::320000 Medical and Health Sciences::321200 Public Health and Health Services::321214 Health and community servicesen_US
dc.titlePathways and policy : approaches to community resource access, health and wellbeing in two New Zealand cities : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health at Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Massey University, Albany, New Zealanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorField, Adrian
thesis.degree.disciplinePublic Healthen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)en_US
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