Planners and public health professionals in Maine are working together to increase opportunities for physical activity and active transportation.
Maine's Public Health in Transportation (PHiT) Coalition is enabling public health and planning professionals to combine efforts and build healthy communities. Formed in 2011, PHiT works to build awareness of the relationship between transportation design and health; and to stimulate actions that result in improved health and safety. PHiT is comprised of a wide range of planning, public health, and non-profit advocacy organizations, each with unique and complementary skill sets.
This article highlights to of the coalition's success stories and offers resources for connecting public health and planning objectives:
- The Lakes Region Explorer, offering transit options for rural areas. The Coalition successfully promoted the Explorer, and worked to expand service locations.
- A "Complete Streets" event in Westbrook, Maine drew 200 residents out to experience their Main Street without vehicle traffic.
FULL STORY: Returning To Our Roots: Reinvigorating the Role of Public Health in Planning
‘Safe Land Use:’ A Key to Road Safety
How approaching transportation planning through a public health lens can reduce traffic deaths.
All We Want for the Holidays is…
Here are a dozen timely gift ideas for creating better communities.
Beyond PSAs: Making Traffic Safety Outreach More Effective
Streetsblog surveyed readers about how road safety education can be made better.
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.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie