Are Planners Responsible for Public Health?

Christine Green reports on the ways in which transportation and planning professionals in the Washington D.C. area are working alongside public health professionals to tackle the obesity epidemic.

1 minute read

May 22, 2012, 9:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With low-income communities and communities of color suffering from higher rates of obesity and chronic disease in the D.C./Baltimore metropolitan area and throughout the country, Green highlights efforts by officials in Prince George's County, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia to increase access to healthy eating and expand opportunities for people to be physically active.

"Whether it's questions of commuting or questions of parks, transportation and planning professionals make decisions that affect travel and open spaces every day. These decisions need to be viewed as public health decisions."

Friday, May 18, 2012 in Greater Greater Washington

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Rendering of proposed housing development on former Desert Pines golf course in East Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas Golf Course to Become Over 1,000 Units of Affordable Housing

The project is part of an initiative to build affordable housing on shuttered golf courses.

November 20, 2024 - KTNV

Interstate 794 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Interstate Removal Would Create Space for Thousands of New Housing Units

A proposal to replace the elevated Interstate 794 with a boulevard could create over a billion dollars in new development along the corridor.

7 seconds ago - Urban Milwaukee

CLeveland, Ohio downtown skyline seen from grassy field.

Ohio Invests $58 Million to Revitalize Brownfields and Boost Local Economies

This investment in brownfield remediation will clean up hazardous sites, foster economic development, and create jobs through 61 new projects across 33 counties.

1 hour ago - Office of Governor Mike DeWine

Car parked at EV charging station in parking lot in Carlsbad, California.

California Governor Vows to Protect EV Credits

If the federal government eliminates the tax credit for electric vehicles, the governor will need legislative support to restart a state-level incentive program.

December 1 - The Hill

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.