Building Healthy Places with Economic Development and

Redevelopment

Robert S. Ogilvie PhD

Building Healthy Places

with Economic Development & Redevelopment

Public Health Law & Policy

We are a nonprofit corporation that improves community health outcomes by building the capacity of public health leaders to use sophisticated legal and policy tools in their everyday practice. We are a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers, urban planners, policy analysts – many also with advanced training in public health; all committed to working with public health agencies and their community-based partners.

For more information, visit our website at: www.phlpnet.org/arra

Our Approach

Topics We Work On

The "built environment”

The man made surroundings that are the setting for human activity.

This includes transportation infrastructure, schools, parks, housing, etc.

DECISIONS

CONSEQUENCES

lead to

Tools we can use to build a

healthy community

Economic Development:

The institutional changes made to promote economic betterment.

The social/organizational changes made to promote economic growth.

ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS

Local Government Economic Development Agencies

Small Business Assistance Agencies

Economic Development Corporations

Community Development Corporations

Job Training and Placement Agencies

Business Organizations

Local Government

State Government

Federal Government

Community Development

Financial Institutions

Private Foundations

Private Banks

FINANCING SOURCES

Redevelopment (California)

Urban Renewal (Colorado, Texas)

Community Renewal (Oregon)

Slum Clearance (Arizona)

Powers of the Redevelopment Agency

• Tax increment financing

• Improving blighted conditions

• Master planning authority

• Mobilizing other public funds

• Eminent domain

A public process that aims to improve the economic and physical condition of a

designated (blighted) area

The budget of the Redevelopment Agency is separate from the city/county budget

www.flickr.com/photos/pfrench99/2461298175/

Potential Health Benefits Rebuilding Places

Attracting & retaining healthy food retail

1990s: Supermarket consolidation

0

20

40

60

80

100

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

Top 4

Top 8

Top 20

There are fewer stores…

Number of Food Stores in West Oakland, 1940-2000

0

50

100

150

1940

1945

1950

1955

1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

Grocery stores are much larger

Median U.S. Grocery Store Size

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

SUPERMARKET DEVELOPMENTBuild a new full service supermarket

SMALL STORE DEVELOPMENTBuild new produce markets or small format groceries

CORNER STORE IMPROVEMENTAssist willing corner store operators in upgrading their offerings to include fresh food for sale in existing stores

MOBILE MARKETSOrganize the sale of fresh produce from

trucks with a weekly schedule

FARMERS’ MARKETSOrganize and incentivize regularly scheduled markets

An area that in its present condition and use… impairs or arrests the sound growth of the municipality, retards the provision of housing accommodations .. and is a menace to the public health, safety, morals or welfare… (Colorado)

Blighted Area

Justus Hayes / Shoes on Wires / shoesonwires.com 

Blighted area…an area…that, because of deteriorating buildings, structures…; defective or inadequate streets,

street layout, or accessibility; unsanitary conditions; adversely affects the public health, safety, morals, or welfare of the municipality and its residents. (Texas)

CONTROVERSIAL HISTORY

“Urban Renewal” “Slum clearance”

“Negro Removal”

Eminent DomainEminent Domain

…the inherent power of the state to seize a citizen's private property for a public use.

When property is “taken”, just compensation must be paid.

Property is turned over to private developers

Mixed Use/Smart Growth

Improve pedestrian environments

Creating attractive contiguous pedestrian environments

Protect

Road

Protect

Place

Photo simulation by Steve Price, Urban Advantage (www.urban-advantage.com)

Community

Building a new transportation infrastructure

Almost 1/3 of Americans who commute to work via public transit meet their daily requirements forphysical activity by walking as part of their daily life

Image Source: www.pedbikeimages.org

Creating mixed use neighborhoods that are more economically vital and resilient

Collecting more tax revenue per acre

How can you

influence?redevelopment

State law requires public participation in the planning and approval of redevelopment plans

Public Process

Mobilize & share data

510.302-3380 • info@healthyplanning.org • www.healthyplanning.org