A study comparing green space and walkability scores found that, without effective access to local parks, residents of greener neighborhoods don’t reap the health benefits.

Adding to the growing body of research about the built environment and public health, Thor Christensen describes a new study in American Heart Association News.
The study looked at two metrics assessing green space and walkability in neighborhoods to understand the relationship between them. While previous research indicates that people in neighborhoods with more green space tend to have lower heart disease risk, the new study reveals that this only holds true in neighborhoods that also have high walk scores—in other words, where residents can meaningfully access green spaces.
In fact, “When researchers looked simply at green space, they found cardiovascular diseases and risk factors were actually more common in people living in neighborhoods with a high NatureScore, compared with those living in less green neighborhoods.” Areas with the highest NatureScore and high walk scores showed a 9 percent lower chance of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
This leads to a logical conclusion: “To maximize the benefits of green space, people have to interact with nature,” says Dr. Omar Mohamed Makram. According to Dr. Ray Yeager, “There's a general notion that green space is good for health, but there's really not a lot of evidence to understand the many complexities involved between vastly different forms of green spaces, communities and built environments.”
The study underscores the need to cross-analyze metrics such as walk scores to understand the broader context and the reality behind the measure.
FULL STORY: For green spaces to be most beneficial to health, they need to be walkable

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie