The role of the physical environment in promoting healthy living was the focus of a gathering last week in the Peel Region, which encompasses three of Toronto's western suburbs. Participants discussed the challenges of adapting suburban environs.
Tess Kalinowski
discusses the new approach to tackling obesity being undertaken in the Peel Region, where leaders want to move treatments from the doctor's office to the streets. "Instead of scolding people to eat right and exercise," says Kalinowski, "the region
wants its planners and policy makers to start designing communities that
intrinsically promote healthier living - with more stairs, transit,
enticements to walk or cycle, and easier access to healthy food."
"In the same way cities once put money and muscle into improving
sanitation - building sewers and water treatment plants - to stop the
spread of infectious disease, they must now play a role in preventing
chronic disease, said Dr. David Mowat, Peel's medical officer of health,
who was part of a Friday gathering in Mississauga called Healthy Peel
by Design."
Participants recognized the added burden of meeting this challenge in the "sprawling, low-density communities such as Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon," but Peel is ahead of other regions in recognizing the obstacles and offering resources for designing places that promote healthy, active lifestyles.
"We have engineered the physical activity out of our busy lives, Mowat
pointed out. 'Our rates of obesity are a normal response by normal
people to an abnormal environment.'"
FULL STORY: Peel Region ready to fight obesity with urban design
The Shifting Demographics of Covid-19
For most of the Covid-19 pandemic, Black Americans died at much higher rates than White Americans. That trend has reversed at times during the past year.
To Carpool or Not to Carpool: That is the Question for Transit Workers in Toronto
Controversy erupts in Toronto after the TTC informed transit employees that it isn't safe to carpool to work…driving people around on transit.
What Would a 'Run Score' Look Like?
A writer in Toronto imagines how the city would be evaluated according to a "Run Score"—a fast-paced version of the Walk Score.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)