Category Archives: Built Environment Analysis

Physical Activity and Health in the Built Environment

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The Built Environment influences many facets of our lives, whether we realize it or not. The way a community is designed fosters how much individuals participate in physical activity and determines the overall health of its inhabitants. Buildings, themselves, have a larger impact than one might realize on physical activity. The distance between buildings and destinations can attribute to one’s health, as well as whether or not a building is a mixed-use building. The purpose of the buildings, like whether it is an office space or housing, plays a central role in physical activity. Parks and recreation services provided by the community can attribute to an individual’s health. Transportation throughout the built environment is a key determinant of how much the community is active and how healthy they are. Our overall health is heavily dependent on the built environment around us, so it is critical that we understand the ways the built environment affects us, and also, how we can modify and improve our surroundings to our benefit.

Parks and Recreation Areas

The parks and recreation aspect of a community largely impacts the physical health and activity of the community members. Many people think about huge, expansive forests that have little to no trace of human intervention, when in reality, a park is just a large public green area used for recreation. The existence of a park or recreational area in a community does wonders for physical health. Studies show that when members of a community perceive and acknowledge that they have access to a park, people are two times more likely to use these spaces and participate in physical activities than those who do not perceive or acknowledge that they have access to a recreational or green space. People often take for granted green spaces that are available to them because a countless number of people would use these types of areas regularly. The only factor holding these people back is that it just is not possible because there is no green space and that their community has not invested in one yet.
Another study shows that the density of these parks directly relates to the amount of energy people exert through exercise. The word density, in this instance, refers to the way people objectively view an activity regarding the number of individuals that can take apart in the activity also with the amount of space needed. As you can see in the graph, NIHMS353996.htmlopen space is ranked fourth, behind basketball, tennis, and playgrounds. The sports of basketball and tennis are the top two due to their low input requirement concerning space needed. Both sports have a relatively small court, or playing field, compared to the other sports, baseball, and fishing, that are lower on the graph. They are also both very inclusive with the amount of people that can be using the space at one time. On average, there are four people playing tennis at one time. In basketball, there are always ten people playing in one game. These spaces are minuscule in relation to many of the other activities that can be available at these parks; however, they produce some of the highest physical output at the parks. This information shows us that communities and cities do not need to set aside vast areas for these parks, which land area is a probably in many of the communities without a green space.
Parks and green spaces also serve a pivotal benefit to mental health as well as physical health. Nature has always been a desired aspect throughout human history, but it has always been more of an aesthetic rather than something we need. Today, many studies are showing that nature and green spaces are very beneficial for our mental health. Day to day stress from our hectic 21st-century lives have been proven to be relieved by taking a stroll through nature. Stress is on the rise in America, according to the American Psychological Association, 44% of people report that their stress levels have raised significantly over the past five years. Shown in the graph, stress levels in all aspects of the American adult life have risen higher than the point that they were immediately after the collapse housing market and economy in 2007. Parks also can immensely help or even cure some of the chronic diseases that are on the rise in society today. Studies indicate that by just sitting or eating outside significantly impacts an individual’s psychological health. The people that go on the occasional hike have significantly lower blood pressures than those who do not. Parks and green spaces are pivotal for our mental health, especially in today’s society that seems just to become more and more stressful as each day passes.

Transportation in the Built Environment

Transportation is very intertwined with people’s health and physical activity. People on average, according to studies by the Center for Disease Control, Transportation Authority, Urban Land Institute and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, are willing to walk a half mile to public transportation stations or leisure destinations like a park or restaurant. Most people would consider anything over that half-mile mark to be too far and too inconvenient to walk too. One factor of this fact is that many individuals do not simply have the time to walk a mile or so to transportation. One study shows that people who regularly use public transport get almost three times as much as much physical activity compared to those who rely on their cars as transportation. The recommended amount of physical activity for the average person according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control is 22 minutes. This same study shows that the average public transportation commuter gets about 19 minutes of physical exercise, which is just 3 minutes under the required amount of physical activity. Along with the purely physical benefits, public transportation improves our environment by the reduction of pollution that is pumped out into our atmosphere. Air pollution is becoming a critical issue because Asthma is on the rise in America. It is increasingly becoming harder and harder to breath, so public transportation is a critical way to help curtail the increase in pollution. The built environment of public transportation is immensely important for our society’s mental and physical health.
Cars have become an issue for the public’s health in the recent years. The invention and implementation of cars completely changed the landscape of society across the globe. David Nye stated, “The automobile was an enabling technology that permitted greater dispersion of the population”. The car enabled people and businesses to move away from the nucleus of a city and spread out. This phenomenon became known as Urban Sprawl, which is defined as the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas. This phenomenon is the main reason behind the megalopolises we see in American today, like New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, the list could go on and on. As Urban Sprawl has brought economic growth and prosperity, it has also brought severe adverse consequences. The plague-like spread has caused many farmlands and open spaces, which could be used for parks, to be swallowed up and transformed into highways and strip malls. Urban Sprawl is singlehandedly threatening many ecosystems in the U.S. The influx in cars has added an incredible amount of air pollution into the environment, contributing to the rises in respiratory problems like asthma. Suburbanization, the shift of the population from the central urban areas into the surrounding sub-urban areas, commonly known as suburbs, has also brought negative side effects upon many people. Inhabitants of the suburbs are subjected to higher levels of obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. The cause of these health issues is the heavy reliance on cars as a means of transportation.

As seen in the graph, the number of vehicles in the city has decreased, while the number of cars in the suburbs has skyrocketed. The suburbs are often very spread out, requiring people to use their cars instead of walking miles to their destination. This then leads to people having significantly less physical activity, and ultimately resulting in these adverse health effects.

What We Can Do

The built environment is crucial to our health, so what can we do to help improve the conditions all around us? The most important thing that the built environment relies on is policies and planning. People can get involved in their communities and voice their opinions on what they want to happen. Advocating for parks is one massive step that can be taken. It takes minimal construction, as we have seen, and it is the most compact areas that produce the most physical activity, which requires less development and available space to build. Another pivotal point to fight for is public transportation. By simple just using public transportation more, there will be benefits for the individual as well as the overall population. You, as the person, will experience significantly less stress along with reducing the pollution being put into the environment. On top of just using the public transportation, the support for more and better forms of transportation can go a log way. Everyone’s health is significantly impacted by our surroundings, through planning, we can have an impact on how our environment treats us.

 

Works Cited

Godbey, Geoffrey, and Andrew Mowen. “The Benefits of Physical Activity Provided by Park and …” National Recreation and Parks             Association, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

Kane, Amelia. “Understanding the Relationship between the Built Environment and Public Health: Its Significance and Why It’s   Essential for Urban Planners. | HGOR.” HGOR. Accessed October 2, 2016. http://www.hgor.com/understanding-the-relationship-between-the-built-environment-and-public-health-its-significance-and-why-its-essential-for-urban-planners/.

Melosi, Martin V. “The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl.” The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl. Automobile in American Life and Society, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

Mozur, Teresa. “6 Reasons Why Parks Matter for Health.” RWJF. N.p., 22 Aug. 2016. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

Pardon Our Interruption. American Psychological Association, Jan. 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.

“Mixed Use Development.” VNRC Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Negative Effects of Urban Sprawl.” Home Guides. SFGate, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Urban Sprawl.” Urban Sprawl – Everything Connects. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“6 Health Benefits Of Public Transportation.” TransLoc. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

BEA Draft #3

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Introduce argument of how the built environment influences individuals’ physical activity.

  • Explain what the built environment is and how it can affected
  • Talk about what can be done and its effects

“The built environment can facilitate or constrain physical activity. Community designs that encourage “population and employment density, land use mix, street connectivity and a continuity of networks” tend to increase an individual’s physical movement, according to “Understanding the Relationship between Public Health and the Built Environment- A report prepared for the LEED-NC Core Committee.” Studies by the Centers for Disease Control, Transportation Authority, Urban Land Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all found comparable conclusions: people are willing to walk approximately a half mile to either a transit station or leisure destination (i.e. a park, gym or restaurant) or bike up to five miles if they perceive their travel to be safe and enjoyable.”

Kane, Amelia. “Understanding the Relationship between the Built Environment and Public Health: Its Significance and Why It’s Essential for Urban Planners. | HGOR.” HGOR. Accessed October 2, 2016. http://www.hgor.com/understanding-the-relationship-between-the-built-environment-and-public-health-its-significance-and-why-its-essential-for-urban-planners/.

Introduce the idea of parks and what they do to physical activity.

  • Explain the evidence
  • Talk about what the data shows and how it can be used

“A national study of US adults found perceived access to parks and trails was positively associated with physical activity. Respondents perceiving access to these resources were nearly two times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those who did not perceive these resources were available. A 3-city study found that objectively-measured density of parks and recreation facilities was associated with physical activity among adults. An observational study in Tampa and Chicago assessed energy expenditure associated with different activity zones in 28 neighborhood parks. Courts (basketball and racquet sports), playgrounds, and soccer fields generally were associated with greater energy expenditure than baseball/softball fields, picnic areas, and open spaces (Figure 2).”

NIHMS353996.html

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“People commonly use park and recreation services in ways that involve physical activity and contribute to their menta and physical health. Several park surveys show that users are physically active during their park visits. Such findings hold true for people of different ages. A study of adult park users in Cleveland, Ohio, for example, found that more than 69% reported moderate or high levels of physical activity. An average visit lasted about two hours, and users spent about half their time walking.”

Godbey, Geoffrey, and Andrew Mowen. “The Benefits of Physical Activity Provided by Park and …” National Recreation and Parks Association, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

Introduce how the built environment of transportation effects physical activity

  • Talk about the relationship between transportation an built environment
  • Effects of different forms of transportation
  • Focus in on Urban sprawl, what does urban sprawl show us

“Active transportation has declined in recent decades. Between 1977 and 1995, the number of all walking trips decreased by 32 percent for adults, with similar reductions for youth. Adults walk for only 21.2 percent of trips that are one mile or less, and children walk for only 35.9 percent of trips to school of that distance. Reversing the recent decline in rates of walking and biking for transportation, especially for short trips, presents a major opportunity for improving health for all ages. Evidence is accumulating about how the built environment can support active transportation, and this evidence can inform policy changes”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Cars became both forces of diffusion and cohesion, helping to change the scale and form of suburbanization well before World War II. As David Nye suggested, “The automobile was an enabling technology that permitted greater dispersion of the population.” Motor vehicles disperse populations almost randomly, and roads and highways become the essential common links between people and their homes, their jobs, and their diversions. This process was underway well before anyone recognized urban sprawl and put a name on it”

Melosi, Martin V. “The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl.” The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl. Automobile in American Life and Society, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Individuals who use public transportation get over three times the amount of physical activity per day of those who don’t (approximately 19 minutes, rather than six minutes) by walking to stops and final destinations. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends 22 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, per day (or 150 minutes per week). Getting active helps lower the risk for many serious diseases, such as: heart and vascular diseases, strokes, diabetes, hypertensive diseases, osteoporosis, joint and back problems, colon and breast cancers, and depression. Public transportation improves access to education and employment, which in turn leads to better long-term economic opportunities. In fact, 12 percent of transit riders are traveling to schools and almost 60 percent are going to work. It also provides access to social and recreational activities, allowing individuals to participate in events they otherwise couldn’t. Furthermore, public transit benefits community cohesion by promoting positive interactions between neighbors.”

“6 Health Benefits Of Public Transportation.” TransLoc. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Urban sprawl threatens productive farmland, transforms parks and open spaces into highways and strip malls and destroys more than one million acres of parks, farms and open space each year. As sprawling neighborhoods and highways engulf open space, the natural habitats of wildlife are disappearing beneath the concrete, which is threatening important ecosystems in the U.S. and around the world, such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Everglades and the San Fransisco Bay, and is among the biggest threats to endangered plants as well. The increase of air pollutants from urban sprawl, such as nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, ozone and particulate matter, increases respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis and heightens the risk of life-threatening conditions like cancer.”

“Urban Sprawl.” Urban Sprawl – Everything Connects. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“People living in suburban areas are more likely to be obese than people living in urban areas, according to the Ontario College of Family Physicians and the American Planning Association. Both studies show that people living in suburban areas tend to rely on their vehicles more often–even for short trips–instead of walking or cycling. This lower level of activity increases the risk of obesity, which can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, high-blood pressure and diabetes.”

“Negative Effects of Urban Sprawl.” Home Guides. SFGate, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Key characteristics of built environments and community design are land use (residential, commercial, institutional, or park and open space), intensity (population density), location relative to other community destinations, the interconnections available to reach those destinations, and aesthetic qualities. Having a variety of destinations close by has been positively associated with walking and bicycling for transportation. Destinations refer to land uses that are frequently accessed in daily life for shopping, education, work, and recreation. Proximity to parks and commercial areas is associated with higher active transportation. Population density refers to the number of individuals or households living in a particular area and is consistently associated with higher active transportation. In areas of high density, destinations can be closer together because the number of people needed to support shops, services, and schools is found in a smaller area. Transportation facilities that connect residential areas and destinations also are related to active transportation. When neighborhoods have sidewalks, streets are well-lit, and pedestrians are shielded from traffic, residents are often found to walk more and have higher physical activity, though results are not highly consistent. Having bicycle paths or trails that separate bicycles from traffic is sometimes associated with increased bicycle use.”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

What can be done to influence the built environment

  • Conclusion like paragraph, start wrapping things up
  • What can changes can and should happen

“Although bricks and mortar solutions are important, research has emphasized the importance of programming and policies to support infrastructure changes. Programming for active transportation to schools (such as safe routes to school and the walking school bus) has been associated with increased physical activity among children, though the studies are methodologically weak. Policies play a crucial role in encouraging active transportation. A review concluded there is sufficient evidence that community-scale land use regulations and policies can be effective in increasing walking and bicycling. Policies also support complementary strategies such as programs and promotions to encourage active transportation. This is particularly apparent in interventions to promote bicycling in which single strategies had little effect, but uncontrolled evaluations of cities that used multiple strategies, including protected bicycle facilities, bicycle sharing, and policies favoring cyclists, appeared to be consistently effective.”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Walkability between destinations is one key benefit of mixed use neighborhoods. If well designed, these areas support easy walking or cycling to home, work, school, stores, services and community centers with sidewalks, bike paths, and other accessible walkways all interconnected. When walking is made easy and convenient, people will be more physically active. Walking also decreases people’s need for cars, which results in lower per capita emissions of chemicals that pollute the air and also reduces vehicular traffic, making streets safer and more pleasant. The key to mixed land use zoning is proximity: long distances between land uses make walking impractical, even when pedestrian facilities are provided. People will be more likely to walk if destinations are kept within a half mile or ten-minute walking distance.”

“Mixed Use Development.” VNRC Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

BEA Draft #2

Posted on by
Reply

Introduce argument of how the built environment influences individuals’ physical activity.

“The built environment can facilitate or constrain physical activity. Community designs that encourage “population and employment density, land use mix, street connectivity and a continuity of networks” tend to increase an individual’s physical movement, according to “Understanding the Relationship between Public Health and the Built Environment- A report prepared for the LEED-NC Core Committee.” Studies by the Centers for Disease Control, Transportation Authority, Urban Land Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all found comparable conclusions: people are willing to walk approximately a half mile to either a transit station or leisure destination (i.e. a park, gym or restaurant) or bike up to five miles if they perceive their travel to be safe and enjoyable.”

Kane, Amelia. “Understanding the Relationship between the Built Environment and Public Health: Its Significance and Why It’s Essential for Urban Planners. | HGOR.” HGOR. Accessed October 2, 2016. http://www.hgor.com/understanding-the-relationship-between-the-built-environment-and-public-health-its-significance-and-why-its-essential-for-urban-planners/.

Introduce the idea of parks and what they do to physical activity.

“A national study of US adults found perceived access to parks and trails was positively associated with physical activity. Respondents perceiving access to these resources were nearly two times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those who did not perceive these resources were available. A 3-city study found that objectively-measured density of parks and recreation facilities was associated with physical activity among adults. An observational study in Tampa and Chicago assessed energy expenditure associated with different activity zones in 28 neighborhood parks. Courts (basketball and racquet sports), playgrounds, and soccer fields generally were associated with greater energy expenditure than baseball/softball fields, picnic areas, and open spaces (Figure 2).”

NIHMS353996.html

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“People commonly use park and recreation services in ways that involve physical activity and contribute to their menta and physical health. Several park surveys show that users are physically active during their park visits. Such findings hold true for people of different ages. A study of adult park users in Cleveland, Ohio, for example, found that more than 69% reported moderate or high levels of physical activity. An average visit lasted about two hours, and users spent about half their time walking.”

Godbey, Geoffrey, and Andrew Mowen. “The Benefits of Physical Activity Provided by Park and …” National Recreation and Parks Association, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

Introduce how the built environment of transportation effects physical activity

“Active transportation has declined in recent decades. Between 1977 and 1995, the number of all walking trips decreased by 32 percent for adults, with similar reductions for youth. Adults walk for only 21.2 percent of trips that are one mile or less, and children walk for only 35.9 percent of trips to school of that distance. Reversing the recent decline in rates of walking and biking for transportation, especially for short trips, presents a major opportunity for improving health for all ages. Evidence is accumulating about how the built environment can support active transportation, and this evidence can inform policy changes”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Cars became both forces of diffusion and cohesion, helping to change the scale and form of suburbanization well before World War II. As David Nye suggested, “The automobile was an enabling technology that permitted greater dispersion of the population.” Motor vehicles disperse populations almost randomly, and roads and highways become the essential common links between people and their homes, their jobs, and their diversions. This process was underway well before anyone recognized urban sprawl and put a name on it”

Melosi, Martin V. “The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl.” The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl. Automobile in American Life and Society, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Individuals who use public transportation get over three times the amount of physical activity per day of those who don’t (approximately 19 minutes, rather than six minutes) by walking to stops and final destinations. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends 22 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, per day (or 150 minutes per week). Getting active helps lower the risk for many serious diseases, such as: heart and vascular diseases, strokes, diabetes, hypertensive diseases, osteoporosis, joint and back problems, colon and breast cancers, and depression. Public transportation improves access to education and employment, which in turn leads to better long-term economic opportunities. In fact, 12 percent of transit riders are traveling to schools and almost 60 percent are going to work. It also provides access to social and recreational activities, allowing individuals to participate in events they otherwise couldn’t. Furthermore, public transit benefits community cohesion by promoting positive interactions between neighbors.”

“6 Health Benefits Of Public Transportation.” TransLoc. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

Use Urban Sprawl as an example

“Urban sprawl threatens productive farmland, transforms parks and open spaces into highways and strip malls and destroys more than one million acres of parks, farms and open space each year. As sprawling neighborhoods and highways engulf open space, the natural habitats of wildlife are disappearing beneath the concrete, which is threatening important ecosystems in the U.S. and around the world, such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Everglades and the San Fransisco Bay, and is among the biggest threats to endangered plants as well. The increase of air pollutants from urban sprawl, such as nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, ozone and particulate matter, increases respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis and heightens the risk of life-threatening conditions like cancer.”

“Urban Sprawl.” Urban Sprawl – Everything Connects. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“People living in suburban areas are more likely to be obese than people living in urban areas, according to the Ontario College of Family Physicians and the American Planning Association. Both studies show that people living in suburban areas tend to rely on their vehicles more often–even for short trips–instead of walking or cycling. This lower level of activity increases the risk of obesity, which can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, high-blood pressure and diabetes.”

“Negative Effects of Urban Sprawl.” Home Guides. SFGate, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Key characteristics of built environments and community design are land use (residential, commercial, institutional, or park and open space), intensity (population density), location relative to other community destinations, the interconnections available to reach those destinations, and aesthetic qualities. Having a variety of destinations close by has been positively associated with walking and bicycling for transportation. Destinations refer to land uses that are frequently accessed in daily life for shopping, education, work, and recreation. Proximity to parks and commercial areas is associated with higher active transportation. Population density refers to the number of individuals or households living in a particular area and is consistently associated with higher active transportation. In areas of high density, destinations can be closer together because the number of people needed to support shops, services, and schools is found in a smaller area. Transportation facilities that connect residential areas and destinations also are related to active transportation. When neighborhoods have sidewalks, streets are well-lit, and pedestrians are shielded from traffic, residents are often found to walk more and have higher physical activity, though results are not highly consistent. Having bicycle paths or trails that separate bicycles from traffic is sometimes associated with increased bicycle use.”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

What can be done to influence the built environment

“Although bricks and mortar solutions are important, research has emphasized the importance of programming and policies to support infrastructure changes. Programming for active transportation to schools (such as safe routes to school and the walking school bus) has been associated with increased physical activity among children, though the studies are methodologically weak. Policies play a crucial role in encouraging active transportation. A review concluded there is sufficient evidence that community-scale land use regulations and policies can be effective in increasing walking and bicycling. Policies also support complementary strategies such as programs and promotions to encourage active transportation. This is particularly apparent in interventions to promote bicycling in which single strategies had little effect, but uncontrolled evaluations of cities that used multiple strategies, including protected bicycle facilities, bicycle sharing, and policies favoring cyclists, appeared to be consistently effective.”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Walkability between destinations is one key benefit of mixed use neighborhoods. If well designed, these areas support easy walking or cycling to home, work, school, stores, services and community centers with sidewalks, bike paths, and other accessible walkways all interconnected. When walking is made easy and convenient, people will be more physically active. Walking also decreases people’s need for cars, which results in lower per capita emissions of chemicals that pollute the air and also reduces vehicular traffic, making streets safer and more pleasant. The key to mixed land use zoning is proximity: long distances between land uses make walking impractical, even when pedestrian facilities are provided. People will be more likely to walk if destinations are kept within a half mile or ten-minute walking distance.”

“Mixed Use Development.” VNRC Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

 

BEA Draft #1

Posted on by
Reply

“The built environment can facilitate or constrain physical activity. Community designs that encourage “population and employment density, land use mix, street connectivity and a continuity of networks” tend to increase an individual’s physical movement, according to “Understanding the Relationship between Public Health and the Built Environment- A report prepared for the LEED-NC Core Committee.” Studies by the Centers for Disease Control, Transportation Authority, Urban Land Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have all found comparable conclusions: people are willing to walk approximately a half mile to either a transit station or leisure destination (i.e. a park, gym or restaurant) or bike up to five miles if they perceive their travel to be safe and enjoyable.”

Kane, Amelia. “Understanding the Relationship between the Built Environment and Public Health: Its Significance and Why It’s Essential for Urban Planners. | HGOR.” HGOR. Accessed October 2, 2016. http://www.hgor.com/understanding-the-relationship-between-the-built-environment-and-public-health-its-significance-and-why-its-essential-for-urban-planners/.

“A national study of US adults found perceived access to parks and trails was positively associated with physical activity. Respondents perceiving access to these resources were nearly two times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those who did not perceive these resources were available. A 3-city study found that objectively-measured density of parks and recreation facilities was associated with physical activity among adults. An observational study in Tampa and Chicago assessed energy expenditure associated with different activity zones in 28 neighborhood parks. Courts (basketball and racquet sports), playgrounds, and soccer fields generally were associated with greater energy expenditure than baseball/softball fields, picnic areas, and open spaces (Figure 2).”

NIHMS353996.html

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“People commonly use park and recreation services in ways that involve physical activity and contribute to their menta and physical health. Several park surveys show that users are physically active during their  park visits. Such findings hold true for people of different ages. A study of adult park users in Cleveland,  Ohio, for example, found that more than 69% reported moderate or high levels of physical activity. An average visit lasted about two hours, and users spent about half their time walking.”

Godbey, Geoffrey, and Andrew Mowen. “The Benefits of Physical Activity Provided by Park and …” National Recreation and Parks Association, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Active transportation has declined in recent decades. Between 1977 and 1995, the number of all walking trips decreased by 32 percent for adults, with similar reductions for youth. Adults walk for only 21.2 percent of trips that are one mile or less, and children walk for only 35.9 percent of trips to school of that distance. Reversing the recent decline in rates of walking and biking for transportation, especially for short trips, presents a major opportunity for improving health for all ages. Evidence is accumulating about how the built environment can support active transportation, and this evidence can inform policy changes”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Cars became both forces of diffusion and cohesion, helping to change the scale and form of suburbanization well before World War II. As David Nye suggested, “The automobile was an enabling technology that permitted greater dispersion of the population.” Motor vehicles disperse populations almost randomly, and roads and highways become the essential common links between people and their homes, their jobs, and their diversions. This process was underway well before anyone recognized urban sprawl and put a name on it”

Melosi, Martin V. “The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl.” The Automobile Shapes The City: Automobiles and Sprawl. Automobile in American Life and Society, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Urban sprawl threatens productive farmland, transforms parks and open spaces into highways and strip malls and destroys more than one million acres of parks, farms and open space each year. As sprawling neighborhoods and highways engulf open space, the natural habitats of wildlife are disappearing beneath the concrete, which is threatening important ecosystems in the U.S. and around the world, such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Everglades and the San Fransisco Bay, and is among the biggest threats to endangered plants as well. The increase of air pollutants from urban sprawl, such as nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, ozone and particulate matter, increases respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis and heightens the risk of life-threatening conditions like cancer.”

“Urban Sprawl.” Urban Sprawl – Everything Connects. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“People living in suburban areas are more likely to be obese than people living in urban areas, according to the Ontario College of Family Physicians and the American Planning Association. Both studies show that people living in suburban areas tend to rely on their vehicles more often–even for short trips–instead of walking or cycling. This lower level of activity increases the risk of obesity, which can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, high-blood pressure and diabetes.”

“Negative Effects of Urban Sprawl.” Home Guides. SFGate, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

Key characteristics of built environments and community design are land use (residential, commercial, institutional, or park and open space), intensity (population density), location relative to other community destinations, the interconnections available to reach those destinations, and aesthetic qualities. Having a variety of destinations close by has been positively associated with walking and bicycling for transportation. Destinations refer to land uses that are frequently accessed in daily life for shopping, education, work, and recreation. Proximity to parks and commercial areas is associated with higher active transportation. Population density refers to the number of individuals or households living in a particular area and is consistently associated with higher active transportation. In areas of high density, destinations can be closer together because the number of people needed to support shops, services, and schools is found in a smaller area.Ttransportation facilities that connect residential areas and destinations also are related to active transportation. When neighborhoods have sidewalks, streets are well-lit, and pedestrians are shielded from traffic, residents are often found to walk more and have higher physical activity, though results are not highly consistent. Having bicycle paths or trails that separate bicycles from traffic is sometimes associated with increased bicycle use.”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Although bricks and mortar solutions are important, research has emphasized the importance of programming and policies to support infrastructure changes. Programming for active transportation to schools (such as safe routes to school and the walking school bus) has been associated with increased physical activity among children, though the studies are methodologically weak. Policies play a crucial role in encouraging active transportation. A review concluded there is sufficient evidence that community-scale land use regulations and policies can be effective in increasing walking and bicycling. Policies also support complementary strategies such as programs and promotions to encourage active transportation. This is particularly apparent in interventions to promote bicycling in which single strategies had little effect, but uncontrolled evaluations of cities that used multiple strategies, including protected bicycle facilities, bicycle sharing, and policies favoring cyclists, appeared to be consistently effective.”

Sallis, James F. et al. “The Role of Built Environments in Physical Activity, Obesity, and CVD.” Circulation 125.5 (2012): 729–737. PMC. Web. 7 Nov. 2016.

“Walkability between destinations is one key benefit of mixed use neighborhoods. If well designed, these areas support easy walking or cycling to home, work, school, stores, services and community centers with sidewalks, bike paths, and other accessible walkways all interconnected. When walking is made easy and convenient, people will be more physically active. Walking also decreases people’s need for cars, which results in lower per capita emissions of chemicals that pollute the air and also reduces vehicular traffic, making streets safer and more pleasant. The key to mixed land use zoning is proximity: long distances between land uses make walking impractical, even when pedestrian facilities are provided. People will be more likely to walk if destinations are kept within a half mile or ten-minute walking distance.”

“Mixed Use Development.” VNRC Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.

“Individuals who use public transportation get over three times the amount of physical activity per day of those who don’t (approximately 19 minutes, rather than six minutes) by walking to stops and final destinations. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends 22 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, per day (or 150 minutes per week). Getting active helps lower the risk for many serious diseases, such as: heart and vascular diseases, strokes, diabetes, hypertensive diseases, osteoporosis, joint and back problems, colon and breast cancers, and depression. Public transportation improves access to education and employment, which in turn leads to better long-term economic opportunities. In fact, 12 percent of transit riders are traveling to schools and almost 60 percent are going to work. It also provides access to social and recreational activities, allowing individuals to participate in events they otherwise couldn’t. Furthermore, public transit benefits community cohesion by promoting positive interactions between neighbors.”

“6 Health Benefits Of Public Transportation.” TransLoc. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Nov. 2016.