Planning for Safe and Healthy Communities ASTHO/NACCHO Joint Conference Presentation by Marya Morris, AICP American Planning Association Boston, July 14,

Planning for Safe and Healthy Communities

Planning for Safe and Healthy Communities

ASTHO/NACCHO Joint Conference

Presentation by Marya Morris, AICPAmerican Planning Association

Boston, July 14, 2005

Public HealthPublic Health Community Planningand Design

Community Planningand Design

Physically Active Communities

Physically Active Communities

A Convergence of Priorities A Convergence of Priorities

Thesis: Communities that reduce sprawl and effectively address the public health and safety implications of community design and

transportation systems will have safer, healthier, and more physically active residents.

The Many Ways the Built Environment affects Health?The Many Ways the Built

Environment affects Health?

Obesity, physical activity, CVD, injury

Water quantity and quality

Pedestrian injuries Air pollution and asthma Climate change contribution Car crashes

Mental health impacts Social capital, social isolation Terrorism, crime

Related to land use and

transportation

Related to automobile dependency

Related to social

processes

The Forgotten PedestrianThe Forgotten Pedestrian

• Traffic flow prioritized over safety

• Only 1% Federal Hwy spending on peds

• Traffic laws reflect bias and lack of understanding of child/senior behavior & development

Is “sprawl” dangerous to pedestrians?Is “sprawl” dangerous to pedestrians?

• Most dangerous metro areas = Southern and Western cities

• 2%-4% decrease in ped fatality rates with every 1% increase in compact design

Sources: STPP. Mean Streets, 2002. Ewing, R, Scheiber R, Zegeer C. AJPH 2003;93(9).

Barriers to Health and Physical Activity: Is Community Design Part of the Problem?Barriers to Health and Physical Activity:

Is Community Design Part of the Problem?

• Separated land uses• High traffic speeds• Auto-dominated community design• Large lots• Ignoring human scale • Prohibited connections between origins and

destinations

It’s a widely accepted activity

It can be done in a variety of settings

It promotes other beneficial outcomes (e.g., environ-ment, transportation)

It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other physical activities

Why Walking and Bicycling?Why Walking and Bicycling?

Sources: Brownson, Ross C., et al. Promoting Physical Activity in Rural Communities: Walking Trail Access, Use and Effects. American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2000), Vol. 18, No. 3.

Built Environment Determinants of Physical Activity

Built Environment Determinants of Physical Activity

People are more likely to walk if: Walking trails, parks and gyms are accessible Sidewalks present and scenery are enjoyable Many people are out walking or exercising Friend(s) are available with whom to walk

People are less likely to exercise if: Too little time Too tired Unmotivated Perceived traffic, crime or other danger Long distance to exercise location

Source: Brownson RC et al, AJPH 91:1995, 2001; HealthStyles Survey, 1999

1. Motorists speed in my neighborhood.

2. There are no sidewalks in my neighborhood or parts of sidewalks are missing.

3. Sidewalks are broken, cracked, or blocked by obstacles in my neighborhood.

4. There are no safe or easy ways to cross the streets in my neighborhood.

5. People are intimidated by crime in my neighborhood.

6. People don’t want to walk in my neighborhood at night.

7. My neighborhood is not a nice place to walk, there is trash everywhere and buildings are not kept up.

8. My neighborhood looks barren, there are no trees and buildings are too far from the street.

Why People are Reluctant to Walk: It’s All About Safety

Why People are Reluctant to Walk: It’s All About Safety

Neighborhood Walking Guide http://www.walkinginfo.org

Pedestrian Injuries and FatalitiesPedestrian Injuries and Fatalities

What makes a road dangerous?

Multiple lanes

High speeds

No sidewalks

Long distances between intersections or crosswalks

Lined with commercial establishments & apartments

Source: Hanzlick R, et al. Pedestrian fatalities—Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties, Georgia, 1994-98. Morbidity/Mortality Weekly Report 1999;48:601-05.

Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities: There’s Good News and Bad News

Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities: There’s Good News and Bad News

8.6% of trips are on foot but 11.4% of traffic deaths are pedestrians

12.5% decline in ped fatalities from 1994 to 2003 (51,989 people died while walking during that period)

65+ make up less than 13% of the U.S. pop. but accounted for ~ 22% of the 4,882 car-related pedestrian deaths in 2003.

Ped fatalities in 0-14 age group decreased by 46% from 1992 to 2002

• Elderly, children suffer disproportionate share of pedestrian injury and fatality

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. 2003a. Traffic Safety Facts 2002: Pedestrians. Washington (DC): Nat’l Highway Traffic Safety Admin.

Barriers to Walking or Bicyclingto School (as identified by parents)

Barriers to Walking or Bicyclingto School (as identified by parents)

55% said distance; 40% said danger

And is it any wonder why?

Source: MMWR 2002;51(32):701-704

Photo: Frederick County, Md. Public Schools

Impact of Community Design on ActivityImpact of Community Design on Activity

Composite Indices Outcome

Density, design, land-use mix Increase non-auto commuting

Aesthetically pleasing and perceived as safe components

Increase in non-auto trips in areas that are safer and more aesthetically desirable

Provision of sidewalks, street lights, length of block, presence of planting strips, lighting distance, and terrain features

Increase in non-auto trips in areas with high pedestrian-friendly pedestrian safety factors

Quality of sidewalks, street crossings, transit amenities, and proximity to services

Increase in non-auto trips in areas with higher transit friendliness factors

Sources: Cervero (1999); Cambridge Systematics (1994); Cervero and Kockelman (1997); Douglas et al. (1997); Ewing et al. (2001)

“Health Promoting” Community Design“Health Promoting” Community Design

• Pedestrian-oriented design

• Compact, mixed use, diverse housing

• Traffic calming • Connectivity and

destinations• More transportation

choices• Open and recreational

space

Five Strategic Points of Intervention Where Planners Can Affect Change

Five Strategic Points of Intervention Where Planners Can Affect Change

1. Visioning and goal setting

2. Rethinking planning in all contexts

3. Local implementation tools

4. Site Design and Development

5. Siting Public Facilities and Capital Spending

Where Physical Activity/Injury Prevention Fits in the Visioning and Goal Setting Process

Where Physical Activity/Injury Prevention Fits in the Visioning and Goal Setting Process

• Residents’ shared desire for healthy communities

• Enhancement and improvement of quality of life

• It is government’s responsibility to protect the public’s health, safety and general welfare

• Environmental justice (and the removal of health disparities) is a land-use issue

2. Rethinking State and Local Planning

2. Rethinking State and Local Planning

• Comprehensive plans• Neighborhood plans• Redevelopment plans• Functional Plans

– Bicycle and pedestrian– Transit– Streets and circulation– Trails– Parks– Human services– Housing– Economic development– Schools and campuses

How Health and Physical Activity Fit into State and Local Planning

How Health and Physical Activity Fit into State and Local Planning

• Smart growth is, by definition, supportive of physical activity

• Increasing transportation options– Injury prevention – Reducing VMT– Improving air quality– Open space, trails, bike/ped

• Creating urban service limits– Monitors utility extensions

• Minimizing health risks– Natural hazards– Hazardous materials– Noise– Injury prevention

3. Local Implementation Tools3. Local Implementation Tools

• Zoning and subdivision regulations– Rethink development

density – Mix land uses – Street connectivity– Require sidewalks

• Streetscape improvements• Neighborhood traffic

calming • Capital improvement

programs

How Can Plan Implementation Tools Promote Activity and Aid Injury Prevention?

How Can Plan Implementation Tools Promote Activity and Aid Injury Prevention?

• Open space, trails, bike, and ped encourage routine activity

• Traffic calming• Pedestrian and Bike plans address

safety and injury prevention • Equitable allocation of capital

improvements• Neighborhood planning, TND, mixed

use, increase density address social isolation and loss of community

4. Site Design and Development4. Site Design and Development

• Improve the pedestrian environment

• Provide security, lighting, visibility

• Protect people from traffic• Adequate accommodation of

bike and ped facilities• Building orientation, setback

requirements • Street trees, landscaping,

open spaces• Well connected routes

between origins and destinations

How Site Design and Development Can Encourage Aid Injury Prevention Physical Activity?

How Site Design and Development Can Encourage Aid Injury Prevention Physical Activity?

• Adequate street lighting can reduce crime, personal injury

• Parking lot circulation, and street redesign reduces pedestrian and vehicle crashes

• Streetscape enhancements include shade trees, awnings, pedestrian comfort, and amenities, promote walking and social interaction

5. Siting and Use of Public Facilities5. Siting and Use of Public Facilities

• Public Spaces• Schools• Post offices• Libraries• Museums• Parks• Plazas• City Hall• Campuses• Community Centers

How Public Facility Siting Relates to Physical Activity Aid Injury Prevention

How Public Facility Siting Relates to Physical Activity Aid Injury Prevention

• Siting and design of public spaces, parks, post offices, libraries serve as walking destinations, community gathering places

• Addresses school location, size, travel mode choice

• Can promote safe routes to schools

• Addresses full spectrum of elderly housing, mobility issues

• Capital budgeting can address equity, minimize disparities

Neighborhood/

City/Region

Downtown/Strip Mall/School Site

Street/School

Route/Intersection

Influence over-arching policies,

practices and processes

Interject health

into current development

projects

Retrofit existing problems

Moving Upstream for Broader Impact

Upstream Midstream Downstream

Roles for Injury Prevention in the Smart Growth/ Transportation/ Land Use Planning Arena

Roles for Injury Prevention in the Smart Growth/ Transportation/ Land Use Planning Arena

• Injury impacts (existing and potential) make a compelling argument; “Safety” is a winning message

• Raise awareness among planners of injury prevention programs; learn about their efforts

• Support funding for nonmotorized travel that includes safety component

• Build programmatic bridges w/other state programs– SR2S legislation & projects

• Bring message to state Departments of Transportation

• Collaborate with state Smart Growth initiatives

Thank You!

Marya Morris, AICPAmerican Planning Association

[email protected]