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Journal article
Spatial inequalities in urban infrastructure for physical activity in Greater Santiago, Chile: Analysis by municipality and neighborhood
Cities, v 178, 107378
Nov 2026
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Abstract
This study characterized urban infrastructure (UI) supporting physical activity (PA) in Greater Santiago (GS), Chile, and examined its spatial distribution. A conceptual model comprising four key dimensions — active transport, green areas, public transport, and safety — was used to guide selection of relevant indicators (23 total). Statistical and spatial analyses were conducted across 34 municipalities and 1623 neighborhoods using a summary index estimated as the unweighted mean of indicators within each dimension.
We identified distinct spatial patterns across dimensions, with inequalities varying in magnitude and direction. UI indices were moderately correlated with area SES (highest: active and public transport r = 0.55/0.47; green areas and safety r = 0.46/0.44, for municipalities and neighborhoods). Associations with SES were more evident at the neighborhood level, particularly for green areas and active transport, while public transport was more evenly distributed and even favored low-SES municipalities.
Cluster analyses (Local Moran's I) indicated that neighborhoods with higher PA-promoting infrastructure were predominantly concentrated in wealthier municipalities, while low-infrastructure clusters were more evenly spread. Green areas emerged as the scarcest and most unequally distributed dimension (Gini coefficient and p90/p10 ratio). Except for public transport, variability in indices was greater within municipalities than between them, underscoring the importance of targeting smaller geographical units for analysis and urban improvements.
This study provides evidence on the spatial distribution of PA-promoting UI across municipalities and neighborhoods of GS and its implications for a territory with spatially and sectorially fragmented governance. These findings underscore the importance of addressing such disparities in urban planning and public policies aimed at fostering healthier and more equitable cities.
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Details
- Title
- Spatial inequalities in urban infrastructure for physical activity in Greater Santiago, Chile: Analysis by municipality and neighborhood
- Creators
- Marianela Castillo Riquelme - University of ChileAna V Diez Roux (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, Urban Health CollaborativeSteven J Melly - Drexel University, Urban Health CollaborativeGoro Yamada - Drexel University, Urban Health CollaborativePaulina Pino - University of ChileCarolina Nazzal - University of ChileAlex Quistberg - Drexel University, Environmental and Occupational HealthRicardo Hurtubia - Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChilePablo Ruiz Rudolph - University of ChileOlga Lucia Sarmiento - Universidad de Los Andes
- Publication Details
- Cities, v 178, 107378
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 17
- Grant note
- Salud Urbana en America Latina (SALURBAL) /Urban Health in Latin America project by the Wellcome Trust: 205177/Z/16/Z Chilean National Research and Development Agency: 21190128
This study was partly funded through Salud Urbana en America Latina (SALURBAL) /Urban Health in Latin America project, which was funded by the Wellcome Trust [205177/Z/16/Z] . More information about the project can be found at www.lacurbanhealth.org. M Castillo-Riquelme was also supported by the Chilean National Research and Development Agency through a PhD scholarship program (Beca Doc-torado Nacional 2019/21190128) . The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Environmental and Occupational Health
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001820460000001
- Other Identifier
- 991022194493804721