Integrating Health into Community Design Tina Zenzola, MPH Safe & Healthy Communities Consulting (619) 281-1656 tzenzola @ sbcglobal .net New Partners for Smart Growth Conference , 2005
Mar 27, 2015
Integrating Health into Community Design
Tina Zenzola, MPHSafe & Healthy Communities Consulting
(619) [email protected]
New Partners for Smart Growth Conference , 2005
Existing Conditions
Safe, Active and Healthy Communities
?
SHCC
Active living and other public health efforts to
change the built environment
Existing Conditions
Safe, Active and Healthy Communities
Land Use & Transportatio
n Planning Process
SHCC
Active living and other public health efforts to
change the built environment
Land Use Planning• How communities decide what gets
built where (and what it looks like)• County, city, community (& regional)
levels• Planning dept.; community advisory
council; planning commission; electeds, (MPO)
• Key policies & processes:– Master plan & community plans– Zoning– Redevelopment, revitalization– Subdivision Plans– Development Review– Bike and Pedestrian Master Plans– Capital Improvement Projects
Requires public
outreach and input
into process
SHCC
Transportation Planning• How regions decide what
types of transportation systems are built and/or improved
• Federal, state & regional level
• FHWA; DOT; MPO; transit agencies
• Key policies & processes:– Regional Transportation Plan– Regional Comprehensive
Plan
Requires public
outreach and input
into process
SHCC
Traffic Engineering• The designs, standards and
processes for traffic operations and safety (streets, sidewalks)
• County & city level• FHWA; state DOT; public
works/traffic engineering dept; (ITE)
• Key policies & processes:– Street design standards– Traffic calming protocols– Warrants– Maintenance programs– Capital Improvement
Projects
SHCC
Strategic Levels for Integrating Health and Active Living
UpstreamInfluence the overarching vision, policies & standards
MidstreamInterject healthy design into slated projects
DownstreamRetrofit yesterday’s mistakesSHCC
Downstream: retrofit yesterday’s mistakes
Safe Routes to School projects
Residential traffic calming
Improve intersection near senior housing
SHCC
School Routes in Marin County
• Broad coalition; lead = bike group
• Identified walkability problems
• Safety and PA as key messages
• Mobilized schools, community
• Safety improvements & increased awareness
Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden
Midstream: interject healthy design into slated projects
Redevelopment/revitalization projects
Capital improvement projects Development Review
SHCC
Transportation Justice in Oakland, CA
• Scrapped BART’s original plan for a parking garage
• Result = TOD with mixed housing, shops, offices, library, child care, health clinic, ped plaza
• Health benefits = reduced traffic & air pollution; increased walking & transit; access to services
SHCCFruitvale Transit Village, Oakland
Saving a Rural Main Street• Road widening - capital
“improvement” project • Land uses ignored• Walkability jeopardized• Negative impact on
businesses & community• Advocates provide
safety message & design alternatives
• Result: County DPW changed it’s plan & policy
SHCC
Upstream: influence the overarching vision, polices and standards
SHCC
Funding Walkable Communities in Sacramento’s RTP
• Diverse coalition of advocates
• Public health=major player & issue
• Outcome=3% of RTP for pedestrian/bike facilities ($631M)
Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden
SHCC
Pedestrian Guidelines in San Diego• Walkable Advisory
Committee to MPO• Public health at the
table• Serves as guide to
cities in the region• $1 million in
demonstration grants• Adoption &
Implementation ????
Revise Street Design Standards• Make it possible to
build safe streets• Institutionalize
pedestrian friendly design
• Provide models from other communities
• Monitor adherence to new standards
SHCC
Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden
Neighborhood,city, county, regional level
Strip mall, transit node
Intersection, schoolroute
Influence the overarching
vision, policies & standards
Interject healthy design into
slated projects
Retrofit yesterday’s
mistakes
Move upstream for the greatest impact
Upstream Midstream Downstream
SHCC
Getting Sidewalks on School Routes: from Baby Steps to Big Steps
SHCC
• Include in community plan update• SR2S
Project
• WSD event with walk audit
• Get routine accommodation w/all CIPs
• Change local standards to require 5ft sidewalks
• Develop a pedestrian master plan
• Schools, school area
• Community
• Ducks lined up
• Citywide
• MPO, DPW, Planning
• Money lined up
• Citywide
• DPW, Planning
• Standards/Policy
• Citywide
• DPW, Planning
• Standards/Policy
State Health Agencies: Your Role• Bring attention to the issue• Integrate health into state level Smart Growth
efforts• Collaborate across health programs• Collaborate with state DOT• Build capacity of local programs
• Regional Trainings• Technical Assistance• Mini-grants• Networking
California’s LPHBE Project
Collaborating with public health
• Credible voice• Neutral and skilled convener• Provide the “public health” rationale• Bring the health data and scientific rigor• Link to under-represented groups• Access to new funding streams
But, politics may be a barrier to participation
SHCC
Safe & Healthy Communities Consulting
Linking health and community design4544 Kensington DriveSan Diego, CA 92116
(619) [email protected]