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This paper focuses on a particular form of high mobility, namely the long journeys to work generated by cross-border job market. More precisely, it studies the impact of such behaviors on well-being by analyzing the relationships between mode choice, transport-related attitudes, socio-demographic and spatial attributes, and the level of satisfaction in the context of cross-border long commutes to Luxembourg. The statistical modelling is rooted to a conceptual framework that emphasizes the mutual dependencies between attitudes, mode choice, and satisfaction. Based on a survey among long-distance commuters (N = 3093) held in 2010 and 2011, two ordered logistic regressions, one of which including latent constructs of transport-related attitudes derived from a structural equation modelling, are developed to explain satisfaction in commuting. Main findings are: (1) Travel-related attitudes influence satisfaction with travel more than socio-demographic attributes; (2) public transport users are globally more satisfied in commuting than car drivers; (3) the socio-economic model of satisfaction is plagued by omitted variables issues; (4) the attitude model of satisfaction drops all but one socio-economic attributes (education remains) while improving adjustment (Pseudo-R-squared = 0.57 versus 0.09; BIC = 2953 versus 6059) and avoiding omitted variables bias. The effect of attitudes and other latent constructs is of paramount importance, even concealing most socio-demographic attributes to assess satisfaction. The conclusion is devoted to a discussion on the sustainability of these cross-border long commutes from the individual, social, and environmental points of view.

Environmental exposure to food sources may underpin area level differences in individual risk for overweight. Place of residence is generally used to assess neighbourhood exposure. Yet, because people are mobile, multiple exposures should be accounted for to assess the relation between food environments and overweight. Unfortunately, mobility data is often missing from health surveys. We hereby test the feasibility of linking travel survey data with food listings to derive food store exposure predictors of overweight among health survey participants. Food environment exposure measures accounting for non-residential activity places (activity spaces) were computed and modelled in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada, using travel surveys and food store listings. Models were then used to predict activity space food exposures for 5,578 participants of the Canadian Community Health Survey. These food exposure estimates, accounting for daily mobility, were used to model self-reported overweight in a multilevel framework. Median Odd Ratios were used to assess the proportion of between-neighborhood variance explained by such food exposure predictors. Estimates of food environment exposure accounting for both residential and non-residential destinations were significantly and more strongly associated with overweight than residential-only measures of exposure for men. For women, residential exposures were more strongly associated with overweight than non-residential exposures. In Montreal, adjusted models showed men in the highest quartile of exposure to food stores were at lesser risk of being overweight considering exposure to restaurants (OR = 0.36 [0.21-0.62]), fast food outlets (0.48 [0.30-0.79]), or corner stores (0.52 [0.35-0.78]). Conversely, men experiencing the highest proportion of restaurants being fast-food outlets were at higher risk of being overweight (2.07 [1.25-3.42]). Women experiencing higher residential exposures were at lower risk of overweight. Using residential neighbourhood food exposure measures may underestimate true exposure and observed associations. Using mobility data offers potential for deriving activity space exposure estimates in epidemiological models.

1. Roads provide suitable conditions for the establishment and growth of exotic species. Most roads are bordered by drainage ditches forming a network of linear wetlands. Drainage ditches may serve as habitats and corridors facilitating the spread of aquatic invaders into the intersected ecosystems. The common reed Phragmites australis is one of these aquatic invaders frequently found in marshes and drainage ditches along roads. We hypothesized that highways have acted as corridors for the dispersal of the common reed and have contributed to the invasion of North American wetlands by this species. 2. We mapped the spatial distribution of the common reed along the highway network of the province of Quebec, Canada, where a large-scale invasion of this plant species has been reported since the 1960s. We also identified the genotype of common reed colonies using molecular tools and the main characteristics that favour the presence of the common reed in road ditches. 3. Approximately 67% of the 1359 1-km highway sections surveyed during summer 2003 in Quebec had at least one common reed colony. End to end, common reed colonies totalled 324 km, i.e. 24% of the 1359 km surveyed. 4. Common reed colonies located along the highways were largely (99%) dominated by the exotic (Eurasian) genotype (haplotype M). 5. The common reed was more abundant along highways located in warm regions, with a sum of growing degree-days (> 5 °C, 12-month period) ≥ 1885, along highways built before the 1970s and in agricultural regions dominated by corn and soybean crops. Common reed colonies were larger when located along highways that were wide, built before the 1970s or in warm regions. This was particularly apparent if the roadside was bordered by a wetland. On the other hand, common reed colonies were more likely to be narrow when located near a woodland. 6. Synthesis and applications. Several disturbances (de-icing salts, ditch digging and agricultural nitrogen input) favour the development of large common reed colonies along roads, some of them expanding out of roadsides, particularly in wetlands. Reducing disturbances, leaving (or planting) a narrow (a few metres) hedge of trees or shrubs along highways or planting salt-resistant shrubs in roadside ditches could be efficient ways to slow the expansion of common reed or to confine the species to roadsides.

Objectives: Explore the contextual aspects of overweight in Québec through multilevel modelling, using a purposely designed set of spatial units and a few area-based characteristics. Methods: Data came from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS Cycle 2.1). Multilevel logistic regressions were performed to test for the presence of an independent contextual effect on overweight and obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), separately for men and women. Modelling considered individual attributes, including some lifestyle aspects, and contextual characteristics. A geographic grid integrating spatial elements related to overweight and obesity in the literature was developed. Also, an area-level residuals analysis was carried out to identify spatial units presenting higher or lower odds of being overweight. Results: After accounting for individual and area-level characteristics, there remain significant geographic variations in overweight in Québec. Although this contextual effect is small for men and women, many spatial units differ significantly from the provincial average. There are differences between the geography of overweight in men and women which suggest that socio-economic mechanisms and land use patterns underlying overweight might be different between genders. Also, there is considerable variability within rural and urban areas. Conclusion: A complex geography of overweight is revealed. Small-scale studies, as well as methodological and data developments, are needed to deepen our understanding of this geography. Objectifs : Explorer l'aspect contextuel de l'excès de poids au Québec avec une modélisation multiniveau basée sur un cadre de référence spatial adapté à la thématique. Méthodes : Les données analysées proviennent de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (cycle 2.1). Afin de vérifier la présence d'un effet contextuel indépendant sur l'excès de poids (IMC ≥25 kg/m²), nous avons réalisé une série de régressions logistiques multiniveaux séparément pour les hommes et les femmes. La modélisation comprend des caractéristiques individuelles, incluant certaines habitudes de vie, et contextuelles. Nous avons développé un cadre de référence spatial qui considère des éléments de l'espace qui sont habituellement associés à l'excès de poids dans la littérature. De plus, une analyse des résidus de second niveau nous a permis d'identifier les unités spatiales qui présentent les plus fortes et les plus faibles valeurs de risque d'excès de poids. Résultats : Après avoir considéré les caractéristiques individuelles et contextuelles, une part significative des variations géographiques reste inexpliquée. Bien que cette part soit faible, plusieurs unités spatiales diffèrent de la moyenne provinciale. Des différences entre la géographie de l'excès de poids des hommes et de femmes suggèrent que certains mécanismes socioéconomiques et d'utilisation du sol diffèrent entre les sexes. De plus, nous avons observé qu'il existe une importante variabilité à l'intérieur des milieux ruraux et des milieux urbains. Conclusion : La géographie de l'excès de poids est complexe. Des analyses locales et des développements méthodologiques sont nécessaires pour mieux comprendre cette géographie.

This paper introduces household-level data into hedonic models in order to measure the heterogeneity of implicit prices regarding household type, age, educational attainment, income, and the previous tenure status of the buyers. Two methods are used for this purpose: a first series of models uses expansion terms, whereas a second series applies Geographically Weighted Regressions. Both methods yield conclusive results, showing that the marginal value given to certain property specifics and location attributes do vary regarding the characteristics of the buyers' household. Particularly, major findings concern the significant effect of income on the location rent as well as the premium paid by highly-educated households in order to fulfil social homogeneity. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

It is now almost impossible to deal with spatial data without considering some explicit specification that captures possible spatial effects. One valuable feature of spatial econometrics models is their decomposition of marginal effects into spatial spillover effect and spatial externalities. Progress in interpreting spatial econometrics models has now been extended to the spatial-panel case. However, little consideration has been given to the possible interpretation of models using spatial data pooled over time. This paper proposes a spatio-temporal difference-in-differences (STDID) estimator to measure the effect of urban externalities, such as transport infrastructures, as revealed through real-estate prices. Based on an empirical application for a new development of commuter trains in the Montreal suburbs, this paper shows how such propositions can help us to better understand and evaluate changes in mass transit systems.

In this study, we examine whether, and to what extent, chain affiliation within regional and super-regional shopping centers affects store rent levels. The rent impact of chain affiliation is assessed in interaction with store prestige. Our database includes 1,367 retail leases in the 2000–2003 period for 11 regional and super-regional shopping centers in Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. The findings suggest that, when compared with independent and local chain-affiliated stores selling low-end goods, middle and high-end goods chain stores operating at upper levels of affiliation are charged a rent premium. Such a profit-sharing scheme between major, high-end chain stores and mall owners, it is argued, will occur under a regulatory environment that limits the local supply of top retail space.

Objective: To discuss critically the contribution of using second-level residuals from multilevel analyses to further the understanding of how place relates to health and to visualize areas, in the province of Quebec (Canada), with above-and below-average levels of overweight. Methods: Data on 20,449 individuals are from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS Cycle 2.1) and were linked to 51 spatial units. Arealevel residuals were computed from a multilevel analysis examining individual and area characteristics associated with the risk of overweight. Mapping the area-level residuals indicates geographic areas where the risk of overweight is higher or lower compared to the provincial adjusted prevalence. Results: Controlling for socio-economic conditions and lifestyle, distinct spatial patterns of overweight were observed, indicating that the processes linking place to health may differ between men and women and between regional contexts. In some regions, the probability of overweight differed by 23% for men and 38% for women living in privileged conditions in comparison to the province's adjusted prevalence of overweight. Conclusions: Analyzing and visualizing area-level residuals provides multi-scaled information that could enhance the understanding of the geographic distribution of overweight and has the potential to support more integrated and locally relevant interventions. Objectifs : Utiliser les résidus de second niveau issus d'une analyse multiniveau pour comprendre le rôle du milieu de vie sur la santé et pour visualiser les endroits dans la province de Québec (Canada) ayant un niveau d'excès de poids significativement différent de la moyenne provinciale. Méthodes : Les données individuelles d'un échantillon de 20 449 personnes proviennent de l'Enquête sur la santé des collectivités canadiennes (Cycle 2.1) et sont liées à 51 secteurs géographiques. Suite à une régression logistique multiniveau visant à explorer les caractéristiques individuelles et des milieux associées au surpoids, les résidus de second niveau associés aux secteurs géographiques ont été calculés. La cartographie de ces résidus informe sur les secteurs qui présentent un risque de surpoids supérieur ou inférieur à la prévalence provinciale ajustée. Résultats : En contrôlant pour les caractéristiques socioéconomiques et les habitudes de vie des individus, de nets patrons de distribution d'excès de poids ont été observés distinctement pour les hommes et les femmes, ainsi que pour les régions. Ceci indique que les processus qui mettent en lien le milieu de vie et l'excès de poids peuvent différer selon le sexe et le contexte géographique. En comparaison à la prévalence ajustée de la province, la probabilité de surpoids varie jusqu'à 23 % pour les hommes et 38 % pour les femmes qui vivent dans des conditions privilégiées. Conclusion : L'analyse et la cartographie des résidus de second niveau produisent une information multi-échelle qui peut permettre d'améliorer la compréhension de la distribution territoriale de la santé et justifier la réalisation d'interventions pertinentes à l'échelle régionale et locale.

Since the 1960s, urban conflicts have tended to gain prominence in most cities of advanced economies. During the same period, women have also gained prominence in urban public life, including conflict activity. Have their roles in these conflicts had possible humanising effects on urban life? More than 2000 conflicts are analysed, hypothesising that characteristics of conflicts influence the probability of women participating in them. It is found that this probability is much higher when actors come from civil society rather than from the state or the private sector and when conflicts deal with social issues rather than economic or, surprisingly, environmental issues. It is also found that this probability diminishes with time, indicating increasing institutionalisation and diversification of women's roles in urban public life.

Purpose - Both hedonics and the traditional sales comparison approach are derived from a similar paradigm with respect to how prices, hence market values, are determined. While the hedonic approach can provide reliable estimates of individual attributes' marginal contribution, it may - unlike the sales comparison approach - underestimate the prominent influence that surrounding properties exert on any given nearby housing unit and sale price. This paper seeks to develop a simple method for reconciling the two approaches within a rigorous conceptual and methodological framework.Design methodology approach - Peer effect models, an analytical device developed, and mainly used, by labour economists, are adapted to the hedonic price equation so as to incorporate nearby properties' influences, thereby controlling for non-observable neighbourhood effects. In addition to basic, intrinsic, building and land attributes, the ensuing model accounts for three types of effects, namely endogenous interactions effects (i.e. comparable sales influences, or peer effects), exogenous, or neighbourhood, effects and, finally, spatial autocorrelation effects.Findings - Preliminary findings suggest that integrating peer effects in the hedonic equation allows bringing out the combined impacts of endogenous, exogenous and spatially correlated effects in the house price determination process, with spatial autocorrelation of model residuals being significantly reduced, even without resorting to a spatial autoregressive procedure.Research limitations implications - Further investigation is still needed in order to find out which submarket delineation should be used to obtain optimal model performances.Originality value - The paper leads to the conclusion that the comparable sales approach, as used in traditional appraisal practice, is valid, although its application is typically flawed by the too small sample size generally used by appraisers. Further investigation is still needed, however, in order to find out which submarket delineation should be used to obtain optimal model performances. This raises the paramount question as to whether the peer effect variable is adequately measured and addresses the tricky issue of kernel determination in spatial statistics and related applications, such as GWR.