Writing for the Well blog, Jane Brody traces the direct link between 20th century development patterns and the leading causes of disease and death. Put simply, public health is the biggest challenge facing planners today.
In laying out the many health problems that are directly connected to our patterns of development and the way many Americans live today, Brody recounts the sea change that has occurred in the public health profession over the last decade. "At a meeting of the American Public Health Association in October, Dr. [Richard] Jackson said, there were about 300 presentations on how the built environment inhibits or fosters the ability to be physically active and get healthy food."
Working at the front lines in treating the ill effects of our built environment and the lifestyles it encourages, public health professions have produced a "plethora of research reports demonstrating the ill effects of current community structures." Now it is up to planners to utilize the preventative tools at their disposal to deign communities in a way that allows and encourages healthy living.
FULL STORY: Communities Learn the Good Life Can Be a Killer
Wildfire Exposure More Than Doubled Since 2000
More intense and widespread fires caused by climate change and changing air temperature are threatening more existing communities.
How Car-Oriented Infrastructure Harms Public Health
A new documentary shows the ways that infrastructure designed for cars and not people is making us ill.
How the Built Environment Impacts Public Health
New research sheds light on how the brain responds to urban environments and architecture.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
