Mark Fenton adds the important distinction between exercise and routine activity to the urban design and physical activity debate, and offers helpful strategies and resources for planners and designers.
Mark Fenton, host of the PBS TV Series "America's Walking," argues that promoting more exercise alone is futile in the fight against expanding waistlines in the U.S. He writes: "Given that it is unlikely that Americans are ready to forego automatic garage door openers and washers and dryers, and that there is no evidence were inclined to increase our more structured exercise, it looks like we would do well to build more routine walking and bicycling into our daily lives." He is optimistic, however, as he reports that a growing number of planners and other professionals are shifting their practices to foster healthier, active cities. Strategies and resources are included in the article.
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Engineering Physical Activity Back Into Americans’ Lives

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont