Study finds people walk more in denser cities with more parks no matter what their country of origin.

Walkable cities really do get people walking. According to a cross sectional study of cities around the world found that, "The biggest design factors affecting the amount of 'moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity,' including walking, were: residential density, park and public transport density, and intersection density," writes Charlie Sorrel in an article for Fast Coexist.
The study, which was carried out in 14 cities sought to, "determine whether or not the cities' layouts themselves were the reason for increased health, as opposed to different lifestyles in different countries," Sorrel writes. The researches found that in cities as different as Baltimore and Bogota, "Dense, mixed-use city streets, with high walkability and ready access to good public transit: We've heard those criteria before. But this study is important because it shows that these factors lead to better public health independent of the economic status of the city or the cultural differences in different countries."
FULL STORY: The Well-Designed City Is A Healthy City, All Over The World

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts
Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

Immigration Grows, Population Drops in Many U.S. Counties
International immigration to the country’s most populous areas tripled even as major metropolitan areas continued to lose population.

$616 Million in Development Incentives Approved for District Detroit
The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.

Affordable Housing Development Rejected for Lack of Third Staircase in Connecticut
The New Canaan Planning Commission rejected a development proposal, including 31 below-market-rate apartments, for lack of a third staircase, among other reasons, at a time when advocates are pushing to relax two-staircase requirements.
Houston-Galveston Area Council
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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