Active Living By Design

Across the nation, the "active living by design" movement is plotting changes designed to coax Americans out of their cars.

They aim to fight the nation's epidemic of obesity with more sidewalks and bike paths, schools that kids can walk to, devices that slow traffic and zoning changes that would create an appealing mix of homes, stores, schools and recreation in blighted downtowns and far-flung suburbia.

...But if researchers have established that gated communities, megamalls at the edge of town and schools accessible only by highway have contributed to the nation's epidemic of obesity, what's the answer? Will neighborhoods built to promote walking or bicycling help reverse the trend? If you build it, will the couch potatoes come?"

The following correction to the original Los Angeles Times article was submitted by Marie Williamson on March 17, 2005:

The Los Angeles Times article of March 14, 2005 citing J. D. Sallis' activityand obesity study of two San Diego neighborhoods incorrectly referred toone of the neighborhoods as being the city of Claremont, instead of thesuburban San Diego community of "Clairmont." Unlike the study's suburban community, the City of CLAREMONT, California, known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and college campuses, is a model of walkability.

Thanks to Chris Steins