Neighbourhood effects on health are partly determined by the way the neighbourhoods are
defined (the modifiable areal unit problem), but few studies of place effects have
incorporated alternative sets of areal units. This study compared computer-generated zones
with areal units identified subjectively by local government officers as communities in the city
of Bristol, UK. Automated zone design came close to replicating the subjective communities
when the balance of objectives and boundary constraints was adjusted. The set of …