Bringing active public spaces to low-income urban neighborhoods
Contextually responsive implementation of place-activation interventions for promoting physical activity in low-income urban communities
This project partners with communities in Mexico and similar U.S. neighborhoods to make parks and public places more welcoming so people can be more physically active.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11380335 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will work with residents, local leaders, and city partners in up to 10 Mexican cities to renovate and activate public open spaces based on community priorities. You and your neighbors may be invited to help design programming, give feedback through interviews or surveys, and take part in events or observations. The team will collect mixed methods data—including interviews, observations, and counts of how people use spaces—to learn which engagement approaches increase activity. Findings will be adapted and shared to help similar low-income urban communities in the U.S., especially U.S.-based Latinx neighborhoods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are residents, community leaders, or regular users of public spaces in the targeted low-income urban neighborhoods in the participating Mexican cities and similar U.S. communities.
Not a fit: People who live outside the targeted cities or neighborhoods, or those unable to access or use outdoor public spaces due to severe mobility or access limitations, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could increase safe opportunities for everyday physical activity and help lower risks for obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases in underserved neighborhoods.
How similar studies have performed: Place-activation and public-space activation programs have previously increased physical activity in urban settings, though success depends on local adaptation and sustained community engagement.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salvo, Deborah — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Salvo, Deborah
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.