Presentation Outline

• What is a Healthy Neighborhood?• Planning Trends and Impacts on Health• Planning Tools for Healthy Communities

Healthy Community: A Definition

“A healthy community is one that strives to meet the basic needs of all residents; it is guided by health equity principles in the decision-making process; it empowers organizations and individuals through collaboration, civic and cultural engagement for the creation of safe and sustainable environments. Vibrant, livable and inclusive communities provide ample choices and opportunities to thrive economically, environmentally and culturally, but must begin with health.”

- California Planning Roundtable

Components of a Healthy Neighborhood

Healthy Neighborhood

Housing

Nutritious Foods

Health Care

Opportunities for Physical

Activity

Educational Opportunities

Social Equity

Safety

Supportive and

Respectful Social

Relationships

Transportation Options

Safety

Soil, Air, Water, Noise

Employment

Sense of Place

How Can Urban Planning Support Healthy Neighborhoods?

Promote “Goods”• Provide for active transportation - bikeways, sidewalks, linkages to transit,

supportive land uses• Provide access to fresh food outlets - grocery stores, community gardens,

farmers’ markets, urban agriculture• Provide access to parks and recreation facilities • Provide opportunities for community interaction and support development of

social networks• Provide sense of place

Protect from “Bads”• Reduce oversaturation of fast food restaurants, liquor stores and tobacco

shops• Reduce exposure to air and noise pollution

Planning Trends and Impacts on Community Health

Traditional Town

• Gridded street layout• Housing in close

proximity to civic and commercial uses

• Range of housing types• Neighborhoods often

centered around school, park or other community use

Suburban Model

Mission Viejo

• Curvilinear streets and cul-de-sacs

• Separation of housing from job centers

• Low density• Neighborhoods

sometimes centered around school or park

Suburban Model v. Traditional Town

Suburban Model v Traditional Grid

Credit: Ryan Snyder & Associates

Connectivity & Linkages

• ¼ mile = typical distance person is willing to walk to park, school, store, etc.

• ½ mile – ¾ mile = typical distance person willing to bike to park, school, store, etc.

Planning Tools for Healthy Communities

The Planner’s “Traditional” Toolbox

• General/comprehensive plan polices

• Development standards/zoning

• Neighborhood plans• Corridor plans• Design guidelines• Bicycle & pedestrian master

plans• Joint use agreements

Suburban Model v “Smart Growth”

Credit: Ryan Snyder & Associates

Ways to Support Active Transportation

• Bicycle facilities- bike lanes, paths, bike parking

• Safe Routes to School - education and encouragement

• Convenient transit access• Comfort, aesthetics and amenities

Landscaping Shade Benches Trash Receptacles Signage Water Architecture

Ways to Increase Healthy Food Access

• Community & school gardens• Community Supported Agriculture • Farmers’ markets• Market makeovers/corner store

conversions• Mobile food retailers