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Planning for Safe and Healthy Communities
Planning for Safe and Healthy Communities
ASTHO/NACCHO Joint Conference
Presentation by Marya Morris, AICPAmerican Planning Association
Boston, July 14, 2005
Public HealthPublic Health Community Planningand Design
Community Planningand Design
Physically Active Communities
Physically Active Communities
A Convergence of Priorities A Convergence of Priorities
Thesis: Communities that reduce sprawl and effectively address the public health and safety implications of community design and
transportation systems will have safer, healthier, and more physically active residents.
The Many Ways the Built Environment affects Health?The Many Ways the Built
Environment affects Health?
Obesity, physical activity, CVD, injury
Water quantity and quality
Pedestrian injuries Air pollution and asthma Climate change contribution Car crashes
Mental health impacts Social capital, social isolation Terrorism, crime
Related to land use and
transportation
Related to automobile dependency
Related to social
processes
The Forgotten PedestrianThe Forgotten Pedestrian
• Traffic flow prioritized over safety
• Only 1% Federal Hwy spending on peds
• Traffic laws reflect bias and lack of understanding of child/senior behavior & development
Is “sprawl” dangerous to pedestrians?Is “sprawl” dangerous to pedestrians?
• Most dangerous metro areas = Southern and Western cities
• 2%-4% decrease in ped fatality rates with every 1% increase in compact design
Sources: STPP. Mean Streets, 2002. Ewing, R, Scheiber R, Zegeer C. AJPH 2003;93(9).
Barriers to Health and Physical Activity: Is Community Design Part of the Problem?Barriers to Health and Physical Activity:
Is Community Design Part of the Problem?
• Separated land uses• High traffic speeds• Auto-dominated community design• Large lots• Ignoring human scale • Prohibited connections between origins and
destinations
It’s a widely accepted activity
It can be done in a variety of settings
It promotes other beneficial outcomes (e.g., environ-ment, transportation)
It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other physical activities
Why Walking and Bicycling?Why Walking and Bicycling?
Sources: Brownson, Ross C., et al. Promoting Physical Activity in Rural Communities: Walking Trail Access, Use and Effects. American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2000), Vol. 18, No. 3.
Built Environment Determinants of Physical Activity
Built Environment Determinants of Physical Activity
People are more likely to walk if: Walking trails, parks and gyms are accessible Sidewalks present and scenery are enjoyable Many people are out walking or exercising Friend(s) are available with whom to walk
People are less likely to exercise if: Too little time Too tired Unmotivated Perceived traffic, crime or other danger Long distance to exercise location
Source: Brownson RC et al, AJPH 91:1995, 2001; HealthStyles Survey, 1999
1. Motorists speed in my neighborhood.
2. There are no sidewalks in my neighborhood or parts of sidewalks are missing.
3. Sidewalks are broken, cracked, or blocked by obstacles in my neighborhood.
4. There are no safe or easy ways to cross the streets in my neighborhood.
5. People are intimidated by crime in my neighborhood.
6. People don’t want to walk in my neighborhood at night.
7. My neighborhood is not a nice place to walk, there is trash everywhere and buildings are not kept up.
8. My neighborhood looks barren, there are no trees and buildings are too far from the street.
Why People are Reluctant to Walk: It’s All About Safety
Why People are Reluctant to Walk: It’s All About Safety
Neighborhood Walking Guide http://www.walkinginfo.org
Pedestrian Injuries and FatalitiesPedestrian Injuries and Fatalities
What makes a road dangerous?
Multiple lanes
High speeds
No sidewalks
Long distances between intersections or crosswalks
Lined with commercial establishments & apartments
Source: Hanzlick R, et al. Pedestrian fatalities—Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties, Georgia, 1994-98. Morbidity/Mortality Weekly Report 1999;48:601-05.
Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities: There’s Good News and Bad News
Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities: There’s Good News and Bad News
8.6% of trips are on foot but 11.4% of traffic deaths are pedestrians
12.5% decline in ped fatalities from 1994 to 2003 (51,989 people died while walking during that period)
65+ make up less than 13% of the U.S. pop. but accounted for ~ 22% of the 4,882 car-related pedestrian deaths in 2003.
Ped fatalities in 0-14 age group decreased by 46% from 1992 to 2002
• Elderly, children suffer disproportionate share of pedestrian injury and fatality
Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. 2003a. Traffic Safety Facts 2002: Pedestrians. Washington (DC): Nat’l Highway Traffic Safety Admin.
Barriers to Walking or Bicyclingto School (as identified by parents)
Barriers to Walking or Bicyclingto School (as identified by parents)
55% said distance; 40% said danger
And is it any wonder why?
Source: MMWR 2002;51(32):701-704
Photo: Frederick County, Md. Public Schools
Impact of Community Design on ActivityImpact of Community Design on Activity
Composite Indices Outcome
Density, design, land-use mix Increase non-auto commuting
Aesthetically pleasing and perceived as safe components
Increase in non-auto trips in areas that are safer and more aesthetically desirable
Provision of sidewalks, street lights, length of block, presence of planting strips, lighting distance, and terrain features
Increase in non-auto trips in areas with high pedestrian-friendly pedestrian safety factors
Quality of sidewalks, street crossings, transit amenities, and proximity to services
Increase in non-auto trips in areas with higher transit friendliness factors
Sources: Cervero (1999); Cambridge Systematics (1994); Cervero and Kockelman (1997); Douglas et al. (1997); Ewing et al. (2001)
“Health Promoting” Community Design“Health Promoting” Community Design
• Pedestrian-oriented design
• Compact, mixed use, diverse housing
• Traffic calming • Connectivity and
destinations• More transportation
choices• Open and recreational
space
Five Strategic Points of Intervention Where Planners Can Affect Change
Five Strategic Points of Intervention Where Planners Can Affect Change
1. Visioning and goal setting
2. Rethinking planning in all contexts
3. Local implementation tools
4. Site Design and Development
5. Siting Public Facilities and Capital Spending
Where Physical Activity/Injury Prevention Fits in the Visioning and Goal Setting Process
Where Physical Activity/Injury Prevention Fits in the Visioning and Goal Setting Process
• Residents’ shared desire for healthy communities
• Enhancement and improvement of quality of life
• It is government’s responsibility to protect the public’s health, safety and general welfare
• Environmental justice (and the removal of health disparities) is a land-use issue
2. Rethinking State and Local Planning
2. Rethinking State and Local Planning
• Comprehensive plans• Neighborhood plans• Redevelopment plans• Functional Plans
– Bicycle and pedestrian– Transit– Streets and circulation– Trails– Parks– Human services– Housing– Economic development– Schools and campuses
How Health and Physical Activity Fit into State and Local Planning
How Health and Physical Activity Fit into State and Local Planning
• Smart growth is, by definition, supportive of physical activity
• Increasing transportation options– Injury prevention – Reducing VMT– Improving air quality– Open space, trails, bike/ped
• Creating urban service limits– Monitors utility extensions
• Minimizing health risks– Natural hazards– Hazardous materials– Noise– Injury prevention
3. Local Implementation Tools3. Local Implementation Tools
• Zoning and subdivision regulations– Rethink development
density – Mix land uses – Street connectivity– Require sidewalks
• Streetscape improvements• Neighborhood traffic
calming • Capital improvement
programs
How Can Plan Implementation Tools Promote Activity and Aid Injury Prevention?
How Can Plan Implementation Tools Promote Activity and Aid Injury Prevention?
• Open space, trails, bike, and ped encourage routine activity
• Traffic calming• Pedestrian and Bike plans address
safety and injury prevention • Equitable allocation of capital
improvements• Neighborhood planning, TND, mixed
use, increase density address social isolation and loss of community
4. Site Design and Development4. Site Design and Development
• Improve the pedestrian environment
• Provide security, lighting, visibility
• Protect people from traffic• Adequate accommodation of
bike and ped facilities• Building orientation, setback
requirements • Street trees, landscaping,
open spaces• Well connected routes
between origins and destinations
How Site Design and Development Can Encourage Aid Injury Prevention Physical Activity?
How Site Design and Development Can Encourage Aid Injury Prevention Physical Activity?
• Adequate street lighting can reduce crime, personal injury
• Parking lot circulation, and street redesign reduces pedestrian and vehicle crashes
• Streetscape enhancements include shade trees, awnings, pedestrian comfort, and amenities, promote walking and social interaction
5. Siting and Use of Public Facilities5. Siting and Use of Public Facilities
• Public Spaces• Schools• Post offices• Libraries• Museums• Parks• Plazas• City Hall• Campuses• Community Centers
How Public Facility Siting Relates to Physical Activity Aid Injury Prevention
How Public Facility Siting Relates to Physical Activity Aid Injury Prevention
• Siting and design of public spaces, parks, post offices, libraries serve as walking destinations, community gathering places
• Addresses school location, size, travel mode choice
• Can promote safe routes to schools
• Addresses full spectrum of elderly housing, mobility issues
• Capital budgeting can address equity, minimize disparities
Neighborhood/
City/Region
Downtown/Strip Mall/School Site
Street/School
Route/Intersection
Influence over-arching policies,
practices and processes
Interject health
into current development
projects
Retrofit existing problems
Moving Upstream for Broader Impact
Upstream Midstream Downstream
Roles for Injury Prevention in the Smart Growth/ Transportation/ Land Use Planning Arena
Roles for Injury Prevention in the Smart Growth/ Transportation/ Land Use Planning Arena
• Injury impacts (existing and potential) make a compelling argument; “Safety” is a winning message
• Raise awareness among planners of injury prevention programs; learn about their efforts
• Support funding for nonmotorized travel that includes safety component
• Build programmatic bridges w/other state programs– SR2S legislation & projects
• Bring message to state Departments of Transportation
• Collaborate with state Smart Growth initiatives
Thank You!
Marya Morris, AICPAmerican Planning Association
mmorris@planning.org
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