Quality of Life and Health in Atlanta

Susannah LeeAudrey Leous, MCRPNisha Botchwey, PhD, MCRP, MPHSubhrajit Guhathakurta PhD, MCRPCenter for Geographic Information SystemsSchool of City and Regional PlanningGeorgia Institute of Technology

Jewelle KennedyDepartment of Planning & Community DevelopmentCity of AtlantaQuality of Life and Health in Atlanta Georgia Planning Association Meeting

Columbus, GA

9.26.20121Background and purposeMethodsResultsDiscussionPlanning implications and applicationsOutline of presentation2Are neighborhoods with high quality of life also healthy environments? What are the characteristics of places that provide both high quality of life and are healthy?

Purpose of study?HousingEconomyTransportationAmenitiesPublic SafetyWalkabilityNutritionMorbidityMortalityImage source: Authors.3City of Atlanta25 Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs)Scale of Study

Image source: Authors.How many neighborhoods are in ATL? 141???4MethodsImage source: Authors.Small area analysis scale of data .5Comprehensive development Plan (CDP) UPdatehttp://www.atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=376The 1989 Georgia Planning Act calls for local governments to develop and adopt a Comprehensive Plan.

An adopted Comprehensive Plan is necessary to maintain the Citys Qualified Local Government (QLG) certification.QLG Certification is needed to be eligible for various state and regional funding.

The City Charter mandates the preparation of a Comprehensive Development Plan every 3 to 5 years.The City of Atlanta was one of the first in the state to require Comprehensive Planning.Comprehensive Planning LegislationGeorgia State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) adopted new guidelines / requirements for local government comprehensive planning in 2005.DCA sets the schedule for plan adoption. The 2011 Comprehensive Development Plan was adopted by the City of Atlanta in October 2011 per 11-O-1234. New standards added information and changed process.Plans have a 20 year time horizonComprehensive Development PlanCommunity Assessment

Community Participation

Community AgendaComprehensive Plan ComponentsThe Community Participation Plan is the second part of the Comprehensive Plan.This plan outlines the strategy for ensuring involvement by the public, i.e. stakeholders in developing the Community Agenda.The plan has 3 components:Identification of StakeholdersIdentification of Participation TechniquesSchedule for completion of the Community Agenda

Community Participation ProgramIdentification of StakeholdersCity Organizations: City Council, Mayors Office, City Departments Community Groups: NPUs, residents, property ownersAdvocacy Groups/Non-profits: PEDS, Park Pride, Georgia Stand UpCivic Groups/Authorities: AHA, MARTA, CIDsCity Boards and Agencies: Invest Atlanta (ADA), ABI, BZA, AUDC, APABs

Community Participation ProgramIdentification of Participation TechniquesInformative Website, printed information, public displays, Council and Cabinet presentations, presentations and announcements at NPU meetings, press releases, meeting notices, presentations, etc.

Public Input:Public hearingsOn-line survey

Community Participation ProgramIdentification of Participation TechniquesInteractive Community meetings each meeting held 3 timesIssues and Opportunities & review of visionIdentification of Character AreasVisions for Character areasCity Council work sessions Open House

Community Participation ProgramMeetings will be held by grouping study areas and/or individual study areas depending on topics of discussions

Community Participation Program

Image source: City of Atlanta Department of Planning. 2011 Comprehensive Development Plan Update. Resident perceptionsPrioritizing planning topicsOpen-ended questions such as:What do you like about your community?What do you want the City of Atlanta to be like in 20 years? What is/are your favorite part(s) of the City of Atlanta and why? What do you NOT like about your community?

ONLINE SurveyNeed to include information on the survey how many submitted responses?Do the results include the online survey and the workshop results?16Survey ResultsWhat do you like about your community?What do you want the City of Atlanta to be like in 20 years? What is/are your favorite part(s) of the City of Atlanta and why? Proximity to amenities190Walkability208Parks, greenspace and recreation105Walkability160Parks, greenspace and recreation191Amenities104Proximity to work142Public transit155Midtown100Tree canopy137Safety115Piedmont Park77Parks, greenspace and recreation97Vibrant urban city109Walkability71Community70Abundance of jobs74Arts, Culture & Entertainment63Location51Preserved neighborhoods63Virginia Highland57Public transit40Bike access39Downtown Atlanta46Mixed Use39Education38Buckhead44History/historic30Transportation36Inman Park4117Survey ResultsWhat do you NOT like about your community? Safety143 Lack of code enforcement109 Lack of public transit89 Vacant properties88 Amenities70 Traffic67 Transportation57 Lack of walkability50 Not clean47 Streets3818Socioeconomic conditions (SEC) Index

EducationPovertyIncomeEmploymentCollege Degree AttainmentUnemployment RateMedian Household Income% Living in PovertyPhoto sources: Wiki Commons, Mlive.com, saveafewbucks.com, www.nccendpoverty.org SEC Indicators20EDUCATION

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Educational Attainment. Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov21Poverty

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates: Selected Economic Characteristics. Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov22Household Income

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates: Selected Economic Characteristics. Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov23UNEMPLOYMENT

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates: Selected Economic Characteristics. Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov24SEC INDEx

Grouped by standard deviations: Low < -0.5 Medium -0.5 , 0.5 High > 0.5 Source: Calculated by authors.8 high, 6 medium, 11 low

Standard deviation is a measure of the distance the data is from the mean. A z-score tells you how many standard deviations you are from the mean.25Neighborhood Quality of Life index26What is Quality of Life (QoL)?

How can it be measured?

Of what use is it to planning? Quality of LifeThree key questions 27Defining QoL Informed by both objective measurements and resident perceptionsVaries over time and spaceInherent linkage to place Viable planning tool, since planning aims to further community development and wellbeingResults can serve to inform targeted policy recommendations

Objective and subjective Indicator measurement to track longitudinal trendsplace-based analysis to measure community conditions and inform policy

28Indicator SelectionIndicatorsShould be valid at the neighborhood levelShould be associated with placeShould capture attributes of importance to residents

29nQol IndicatorsIndicatorsMeasuresAmenities Greenspace accessRetail MixEconomy Employment to labor force ratioHousing Home AffordabilityRent AffordabilityVacancy rates Public Safety Violent crime ratesProperty crime ratesTraffic-related accidents Transportation Mean travel times to work Transit access30Atlanta Neighborhood Quality of Life Index Results31

Amenities: Park & Recreation AccessPark and recreation access calculated with mile buffers and census blocks. Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov32Amenities: Park & Recreation Access

Equitable spread of greenspace for M, N, F

33Amenities: Retail Mix

3-digit NAICSCode DescriptionExamples445Food and Beverage StoresKroger, Yogli Mogli 446Health and Personal Care StoresRite Aid, GNC448Clothing and Accessories StoresOld Navy, Footlocker452General Merchandise StoresSams Club, Dollar Tree453Miscellaneous Store RetailersOffice Depot, GoodwillReference USA. ( 2012). U.S. Businesses. Data retrieved from www.referenceusa.com34AMENITIES RankingAmenities RankingNPU1B2M3N4T5F6V7O8E9W10K11S12J13C14Y15X16Z17I18R19G20L21D22A23H24P25Q

Source: Calculated by authors.Be prepared to explain how we computed the rankings35HOUSING: Vacancy

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov36Housing: rent Affordability

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.govRent as a share of income for average residentmedian household in 2010 $45,171

37HOUSING: Home Affordability

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov38Housing RankingNPU1Q2W3P4O5N6D7C8I9G10F11H12A13X14S15R16B17Z18Y19K20J21V22E23T24M25LHousing ranking

Source: Calculated by authors.Vacancy and affordability diff results - > edge NPUs 39ECONOMY: Jobs to Labor Force Ratio

U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates: Selected Economic Characteristics. Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.govU.S. Census Bureau, Center for Economic . ( 2010). Work Area Profile Analysis: 2010 Primary Jobs. Retrieved from www.onthemap.ces.center.govJobs by location compared to # of residents in labor force

40Economy RankingNPU1M2B3E4A5D6Z7L8G9X10C11V12F13T14W15Y16K17O18R19I20S21N22P23J24H25QECONOMY

Economy rankingSource: Calculated by authors.PUBLIC SAFETY: Property Crimes

Data Source: Atlanta Police Department arson,burglary,larceny-theft, andmotor vehicle theft42Public safety: violent crimes

Data Source: Atlanta Police Department Aggravated assault,forcible rape,murder, and robbery43PUBLIC SAFETY: 2010 Vehicle Crashes

44PUBLIC SAFETY: Vehicle Crash Injuries/Fatalities

Data Source: Georgia Department of Transportation ( 2012). Vehicle Crashes. 45PUBLIC SAFETY ranking

Public Safety RankingNPU1Q2A3C4P5F6N7B8O9D10I11H12S13W14E15Z16K17G18T19J20R21X22Y23L24V25M

Source: Calculated by authors.46TRANSPORTATION: Calculating Transit Access mile bus stop buffers & mile rail station buffersPopulation access determined by area weighted census blocks

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). ). 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates: Selected Economic Characteristics. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.govU.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.gov

47Transportation: Transit Access

79% of Atlanta overall has good access to transit good measured by - mile buffers.

48TRANSPORTATION: Mean Travel Times

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). ). 2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates: Selected Economic Characteristics. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.govsee longer travel times in south, shorter in north for two possible reasons:More jobs in north, and more private vehicle ownership49Transportation RankingNPU1E2M3F4B5C6O7D8T9R10S11Y12L13N14W15V16G17K18H19Z20I21P22X23A24J25QTRANSPORTATION RANKING

Source: Calculated by authors.* Based on City of Atlanta 2011 CDP Survey Results NQOL Resident Priorities*AttributeCity Resident RankingIndicator ClassificationWeightingPolice Services4.3Public Safety25%Fire Services 4.2Public safetyEconomic Development 4.2Economy22%Transportation4.1Transportation20%Parks, Greenspace and Recreation4.0Amenities18%Land Use4.0AmenitiesHousing3.7Housing15%Land use = proxy for access to activity centers 51Neighborhood Quality of Life Index RankingHigh SECNQoL RankingNPU1B2F3E4C5D6N7A8Q

Medium SECNQoL RankingNPU1M2O3W4I5P6RLow SECNQoL RankingNPU1T2S3G4Z5X6V7Y8K9L10H11JSource: Calculated by authors.52Neighborhood Health Index53County Health Rankings

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approachIn developing a health index for Atlanta, we surveyed other indexes and ranking systems to determine what variables are often used. One approach that has validated measures and national influence is the county health rankings. County health rankings follows a three part approach in their calculationsHealth outcomes : mortality that is best understood as ones length of life morbidity, the quality of ones life. Health factors: health behaviors, (tobacco use, diet and exercise, alcohol use, sexual activity), clinical care (access to care and quality of care), social and economic factors (education, employment, income, family and social support and community safety), and physical environment (environmental quality, built environment) 54County Health Rankings

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approachMortalityPremature Death, Years of Potential Life Lost 75 (YPLL75)MorbidityHRQLBirth Outcomes (Low Birth Weight, LBW)55County Health Rankings

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approachHealth BehaviorsTobacco Use (BRFSS)Diet & Exercise (BMI and leisure time physical activity, NCCDPHP)Alcohol use (BRFSS)Sexual activity (Teen Birth Rates and STDs, NCHS and CDC)56County Health Rankings

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approachClinical CareAccess to care, under 65 w/out insurance and # people/PCP (HRSA)Quality of care, preventive hospitalizations, diabetic screening, Mammography screening (Dartmouth Atlas) 57County Health Rankings

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approachSocial and economic factors% 9th grade cohort w/ 4 year graduationAverage annual unemployment rateChildren in poverty% adults w/o social/emotional support (BRFSS)Single parent HHViolent Crimes (FBI)

58County Health Rankings

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approachPhysical EnvironmentUnhealthy AQ daysLimited Access to healthy foodsFast food restaurantsAccess to recreational facilities59Obesity Prevalence by State

60HEALTH IndicatorsIndicatorsMeasuresNutrition% With Good Food Access Physical ActivityWalkabilityMorbidityDiabetesHypertensive Heart DiseaseEsophageal, Renal & Uterine CancersMortalityYPLL 75 Rate61Nutrition: Food AccessFood destinations:SupermarketsFood markets and grocery storesFarmers markets

Proximity: determined by average nearest distance from populations to food retail destinations.

Socioeconomic factors: Poverty status

62

Distance From Populations to Nearest Food DestinationsUsing the Near toolCalculates distance from each block group centroid to nearest food destinationU.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.govReference USA. ( 2012). U.S. Businesses. Data retrieved from www.referenceusa.com

63Proximity325 block groups in the city of Atlanta262 food destinationsthe range of access is 168 ft - 16,051 ftThe average nearest distance to a food market is 2357 feet or .45 mile.

U.S. Census Bureau. ( 2010). Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile. Data Retrieved from www.factfinder2.census.govReference USA. ( 2012). U.S. Businesses. Data retrieved from www.referenceusa.com

64Nutrition: Good Food Access

Source: Calculated by authors.Physical activity: walkability

Data Source: Walk Score. (2012). Atlanta Neighborhoods. Data retrieved from www.walkscore.comDerived from averaging walkscores for neighborhoods within NPUs 66Morbidity: Diabetes

Data Source: Georgia Department of Public Health. 67Morbidity: Hypertensive Heart Disease

Data Source: Georgia Department of Public Health. 68Morbidity: Esophageal, Uterine & Renal Cancers

Data Source: Georgia Department of Public Health. 69MORTALITY: YPLL 75 rate

Data Source: Georgia Department of Public Health. Neighborhood Health Index rankingHigh SECNH RankingNPU1F2N3B4A5E6C7D8QMedium SECNH RankingNPU1M2O3W4P5I6RLow SECNH RankingNPU1T2V3K4Y5L6S7X8J9H10Z11G

Source: Calculated by authors.71DiscussionConvergence of negative perceptions and conditionsTransit Access - NPUs in north Atlanta (A, B, E, F)Housing - NPUs J, L, VCrime NPUs L, M, V, Y

Convergence of positive perceptions and conditionsParks, Recreation & Greenspace NPUs C, VProximity to work and short travel times NPU E (Midtown area)Walkability NPUs F, N

Objective Vs. Subjective73Overlap matrixSECHigh QoLHigh HealthOverlapHigh B, F, EF, N, BF, BMedM,O, WM, O, WM, O, WLowT, S, GT, V, KTNPUs with high NH & NQoLComparisons between QoL & health

Source: authors.74Attributes of npu f

Image sources: http://www.itsmarta.com, http://www.atlantapd.org/, http://www.atlanta-midtown.com, http://www.cnuatlanta.org/streets-are-for-people-ll-atlanta-streets-alive-recap/

WalkabilityAmenitiesNutritionTransportationPublic SafetyVirginia Highland walkers & bikers; retail in virginia highland; morningside farmers marketNeighborhoods in NPU F: Atkins Park, Lindridge/Martin Manor, Morningside/Lenox Park, Piedmont Heights, Virginia Highland 75Overlap matrixSECHigh QoLHigh HealthOverlapHigh B, F, EF, N, BF, BMedM,O, WM, O, WM, O, WLowT, S, GT, V, KTNPUs with high NH & NQoLComparisons between QoL & health

Source: authors.76

Attribute overlap: NPU M

Image sources: http://www.itsmarta.com, http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/16794147/Broad-street-Atlanta-GA/, http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-feb-revitalizing-neighborhoods-atantas-castleberry-hill, http://www.atlantamagazine.com/history/story.aspx?ID=1195912, http://www.tcwfi.org/Gallery.aspx/Album/1

WalkabilityAmenitiesTransportationEconomyFive points marta; broad street; retail in castleberry hill; Tcwf job fairNeighborhoods in NPU M: Castleberry Hill, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Sweet Auburn 77Overlap matrixSECHigh QoLHigh HealthOverlapHigh B, F, EF, N, BF, BMedM,O, WM, O, WM, O, WLowT, S, GT, V, KTNPUs with high NH & NQoLComparisons between QoL & health

Source: authors.78Attribute overlap: NPU T

Image sources: http://www.westendfarmersmarket.com/about.html, http://www.wrensnestonline.com/blog/marriott-in-west-end/Nutrition

AmenitiesWest end retail and farmers market NPU T: Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center, Harris Chiles, Just Us, The Villages at Castleberry Hill, West End, Westview 79Do these results align with citizen priorities and feedback?Applications for policy and resource allocation decisions

Planning implications and applications

NPUs with high NH & NQoLUnderinvestment in the west side neighborhoods 80