Bay Area Open Space Council“Harvest Gathering”

November 22, 2013Santa Clara County Health Element

Bill Shoe, Principal PlannerSanta Clara County Planning Office

Purpose/Overview

• Land, open space and community/public health

• Long range planning for open space – General Plan and others

• How subject to be addressed in Health Element

• Why it matters on a variety of levels

Open Space in General PlanCountywide Growth Management/Land Use &

Vision Statement

Resource Conservation/

Open Space Elements

Parks and Recreation & Trails Master Plan

Element

Safety Element

Land Use Element

Health Element in a Nutshell

• New element (chapter) for County General Plan, part of incremental updating process

• Housing Element, Circulation Element in process

• May be a first for a county in CA, serves as “model” element for cities, other counties, non-profits, others

• Collaborative effort w Public Health Dept., other agencies/departments, organizations

Purposes – What we “Sow”:

• Establish goals/major strategies, policies, and recommended actions re: community health

• Elevate discourse, emphasize health as a mainstream subject in general plans

• Promote “health in all policies”• Touches on many, but not all, connections

between planning for physical environment and health

Topics/Sections

• Urban Design, Land Use, Planning• Active, Sustainable Transportation• Physical Activity & Recreation• Healthy Eating, Food Access, Food Systems• Environmental Health and Climate Change• Mental/Behavioral Health (incl. violence)• Healthy Housing

Physical Activity, Recreation & Health

• Health, safety and welfare – origins of planning• What Olmstead, others, always knew• The obvious connections – access, climate,

opportunity, safety = active use and exercise*******

• Sidewalks, greenways, trails• City parks, school sites, urban public spaces• Regional parks, preserves, and wilderness

Why it Matters - health in all forms• Physical – exercise, conditioning, etc.• Mental – intellectual, creative functions• Spiritual – restorative aspects, reflection,

wisdom, and the care of the soul• Civic – the “body politic”

“In wildness is the preservation of the world.”

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is

confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of

minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of

wisdom not to do desperate things.”

Much being done…but…

• Innovative – our best ideas• Inspiring – our best values, motivations• Inclusive – our full attention and participation• Implementable – our most practical, effective,

doable efforts********

• Equity, environment, economy considerations all important (3 E’s of Sustainability)

…and what we might “reap”:

• Improved individual and public health• Enhanced urban / rural connections• Appreciation of nature and its ecosystem

services• A “cornucopia of co-benefits”• Coordination and collaboration• Champions ?• An enduring vision

Bay Area Open Space Council

Finis. Thank you!

Bill Shoe, Principal PlannerSanta Clara County Planning Office