The Influence of the Local Neighbourhood Environment on Walking Levels during the Walking for Wellbeing in the West Pedometer-Based Community Intervention

We investigated the relationship between walking levels and the local neighbourhood physical environment during the Walking for Wellbeing in the West (WWW) randomised pedometer-based community intervention. Walking activity was recorded as step counts at baseline (n=76), and at 3 months (n=57), 6 months (n=54), and 12 months (n=45) post-intervention. Objective physical environment data were obtained from GIS datasets and street surveys conducted using the SWAT audit tool. Sixty-nine environment variables were reduced to eight environment factors using principal axis factoring, and the relationship between environment factors and (i) step counts, and (ii) the change in step counts relative to baseline, was examined using hierarchical multiple linear regression, controlling for age, gender, income, and deprivation. Five environment factors were significant predictors of step counts, but none were significant predictors of the change in step counts relative to baseline. None of the demographic variables included in the analysis were significant predictors at any stage of the study. Total variance explained by the environment ranged from 6% (P<0.05) to 34% (P<0.01), with lowest levels during the initial stages of the study. The physical environment appears to have influenced walking levels during the WWW intervention, and to have contributed to the maintenance of walking levels post-intervention

The Tale of Three Cities: Place branding, scalar complexity and football

This chapter aims to address the relative neglect of scalar tensions between the local and global, and the glocal and grobal, within place branding literature and practice. Accordingly, the chapter more specifically explores the interconnections between place, place branding, and football branding through a longitudinal analysis of the entwined branding strategies deployed by Manchester City Football Club, the City of Manchester, and the City Football Group. We suggest football branding provides a useful context through which to reveal often-neglected concerns in place branding by drawing attention to the dynamic, entangled, and leaky boundaries between geographical scales. We demonstrate how geographical associations thwart efforts of place and football brands to go fully ‘grobal’. The chapter concludes by suggesting future research focuses on scalar tensions and interrelations in place branding

(Re)thinking place atmospheres in marketing theory

his article explores consumers’ experiences of place atmospheres through a study into football matches, a context in which atmosphere is pertinent. While existing marketing literature concerning atmospherics largely conceptualises atmosphere as controllable, singular, and confined to the consumption environment and experience under investigation, we instead contribute a more spatially and temporally porous theorisation. Drawing insights from both consumer research and geography surrounding affect, embodiment and atmosphere, we unpack the spatial and temporal aspects of atmosphere in relation to consumers’ past memories, disrupted routines, and anticipations of future. The article contributes, therefore, to bourgeoning literature within marketing and consumer research regarding the consumption in – and of – places

UK landscape ecology: trends and perspectives from the first 25 years of ialeUK

Context The 25th anniversary of the founding of the UK chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (ialeUK) was marked in 2017. Objectives To assess trends in UK landscape ecology research over ialeUK’s first 25 years, to compare these trends to changes elsewhere in the world, and to consider how ialeUK can continue to support landscape ecology research and practice. Methods A database of conference abstracts was compiled and examined in combination with a questionnaire that surveyed existing and former active members of ialeUK. Results Across 1992–2017 we observe noticeable trends including the declining roles of statutory bodies, the development of the ecosystem services concept, and a decrease in use of empirical methods. Analysis of questionnaire results highlighted four key areas: Developing new researchers; Facilitating conferences for networking, learning and discussion; Linking policy with practice; and Driving the continued growth of landscape ecology as a discipline. Challenges were also noted, especially regarding the adoption of a wider understanding of landscape ecological principles in management. Conclusions Increases in qualitative research, decreases in studies explicitly examining connectivity/fragmentation and an absence of landscape genetics studies in the UK are seemingly distinct from US landscape ecology and elsewhere around the world, based on published accounts. ialeUK has had success in increasing the role of landscape ecology in policy and practice, but needs to continue to aim for improved collaboration with other landscape-related professional bodies and contributions to wider sustainability agendas

Romiley: Vital and Viable Stockport District Centres

This report has been prepared following a workshop held on the 10th March 2022, attended by key local stakeholders from Romiley. Facilitated by the Institute of Place Management at the invitation of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, the event formed part a wider programme of work Stockport is undertaking to revitalise district centres in terms of post-pandemic recovery and longterm viability. This report builds, therefore, on findings collated by IPM to inform the council’s approaches to supporting Stockport’s district centres

Hazel Grove: Vital and Viable Stockport District Centres

Many factors affect the vitality and viability of high streets and town centres. Some of the changes we see today are the result of long-term processes, some stretching back decades. The global pandemic brought new and additional challenges, but also provided the spur to reimagine and redefine the high street, not only to manage recovery, but to also prepare and adapt for a more resilient future

Cheadle Hulme: Vital and Viable Stockport District Centres

This report has been prepared following a workshop held on the 23rd March 2022, attended by key local stakeholders from Cheadle Hulme. Facilitated by the Institute of Place Management at the invitation of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, the event formed part a wider programme of work Stockport is undertaking to revitalise district centres in terms of post-pandemic recovery and long-term viability. This report builds, therefore, on findings collated by IPM to inform the council’s approaches to supporting Stockport’s district centres

Marple: Vital and Viable Stockport District Centres

This report has been prepared following a workshop held on the 15th March 2022, attended key local stakeholders from Marple. Facilitated by the Institute of Place Management at the invitation of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, the event formed part a wider programme of work Stockport is undertaking to revitalise district centres in terms of post-pandemic recovery and longterm viability. This report builds, therefore, on findings collated by IPM to inform the council’s approaches to supporting Stockport’s district centres