Many factors have contributed to America's obesity crisis, but the design of the built environment has had an undeniable role. A new study shows that living in a smart growth community can increase physical activity among children.
"A group of University of California, Berkeley, researchers wanted to see if neighborhood design, or smart growth planning principles--like mixed land use, walkable neighborhoods, compact housing, and green space--could shape activity and health," writes Sydney Brownstone. "So they measured the activity levels of children in a smart growth community (called the Preserve) compared to activity levels of children in conventional suburban communities in Chino, California."
"After analyzing the results, researchers noted one significant difference: Kids in the smart growth neighborhood showed local activity levels that were 46% higher than those of kids who resided in the ticky-tacky Chino suburbs' rows upon rows of post-war housing."
The study seems to confirm what planners have come to learn, when you design for the movement of cars you inhibit the movement of people.
Read the full story: Bad Urban Planning Is Why You're Fat
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
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Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
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NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
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California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority