Land Use for Active Living

GOAL: To increase opportunities for physical activity, help reduce pollution and improve economic development by providing more green space and walkable, mixed-use development.

Land Use for Active Living

1. Re-Evaluate Urban Design and Comprehensive Land-Use Plans to Improve Active Living

The Issues and the Research: A walkable neighborhood means that residents can easily walk or ride a bicycle from home to places they need to go, such as schools, shops and workplaces—whenever and as often as they want. A large number of studies have shown that adults living in walkable neighborhoods are more physically active.¹ Evidence also suggests that youth get more regular physical activity when they have opportunities to walk or ride a bicycle from home to school or other destinations.² Not surprisingly, residents are more likely to walk or ride a bicycle if they have access to public transportation, and live in a city center, close to a grocery store, drug store or other businesses.³ In fact, according to one study, residents of communities with a mix of shops and businesses within easy walking distance have a 35 percent lower risk of obesity than residents of communities that do not have these services within easy walking distance.⁴ Furthermore, researchers who analyzed data from more than 3,000 youth in Atlanta determined that young people ages 5 to 18 are more likely to walk if they live in mixed-use neighborhoods with nearby schools, parks and businesses.⁵ A 2003 study of 448 metropolitan counties found that people who live in compact, higher-density counties are less likely to be obese and spend more time walking than people who live in more sprawling counties.⁶

Potential Stakeholders

Policy-makers
State and local elected and appointed officials
School officials (e.g., state boards of education, local school boards and school administrators)

Other Government and Community Stakeholders
Transportation officials
Planning officials
Parks and recreation officials
County and city health officials
Housing officials
Economic (re)development officials
Business owners
Community members

Policy and Program Options

Urban planning approaches
Local policy-makers can consider urban planning approaches that promote walkable communities communities by locating businesses, recreation centers, parks, libraries and other facilities near public transportation and major roads. Local policy-makers, planners and school districts officials can consider siting new schools within a 15-minute walk to residential areas. If schools, offices and retail outlets are situated in proximity to each other, children and their families are more likely to have multiple transportation.

Mixed-use development
Local policy-makers can work with planners to foster walkable, safe communities by locating businesses, recreation centers, parks, libraries and other facilities near public transportation and major roads. Local policy-makers, planners and school districts officials can consider siting new schools within a 15-minute walk to residential areas. If schools, offices and retail outlets are situated in proximity to each other, children and their families are more likely to have multiple transportation options.

Active transit-oriented development
Local and state policy-makers can consider adopting ordinances or implementing programs that encourage transit-oriented development (TOD) , which promotes the development of compact, pedestrian-friendly housing, offices and retail shops in close proximity to transit stations or stops. State policy-makers can adopt legislation that provides incentives to TOD. At the local level, policy-makers can adopt zoning overlays that provide density bonuses around transit, can lower parking requirements and provide other incentives to support higher density development that takes advantage of the investment in transit.

Form-based zoning codes
Local and state policy-makers can consider form-based zoning codes, which have become an increasingly popular approach to encourage the creation of communities where people want to live, work and play.

Additional incentives, ordinances for active living
Another option is a traditional neighborhood development ordinance or an overlay zone that encourages walkability and accessibility. Local policy-makers can consider using Transfer of Development Rights programs, where development rights are transferred from one district to another. Local policy-makers also can provide incentives and zoning ordinances to encourage the development of a variety of housing options, such as multi-family units. They can provide developers with incentives, such as density bonuses and fee waivers, and require developers to provide mixed-income housing opportunities.

Getting Started

Through the authorization of financial incentives, state legislatures can play a role in supporting mixed-use development.
Local policy-makers, who are responsible for developing comprehensive land-use plans and making facility siting decisions, and developers, who make the financial investments, can:

host roundtables or town hall meetings to invite the public to review land-use plans and zoning ordinances;
identify areas underserved by retail;
use geographical information systems to determine land-use trends and walkability characteristics, such as street connectivity and sidewalks;
partner with health officials to ensure that public health is part of comprehensive plans or community planning;
call for a health impact assessment; and
incorporate physical activity opportunities.

State and local policy-makers can raise funds to support activity-friendly development or improve a community’s infrastructure using Tax Increment Financing.
Local governments can participate in a Business Improvement District.
Local and state government policy-makers can revisit comprehensive plans when any type of major infrastructure is built in order to integrate feasible enhancements. For example, policy-makers can consider enhancing bikeways if street improvements are being made.
Local policy-makers can expand active living opportunities for youth and adults by establishing a joint-use agreement between communities and schools, including colleges and universities.
School district officials can consider the convenience of biking or walking to school when deciding whether to renovate an existing school or to build a new school.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Impact Assessment Tool
Policy-makers can use the information on this Web site to improve their understanding of the Health Impact Assessment process, which examines a policy, program or project in terms of its potential health impact on a population. It incorporates public health issues into areas that traditionally fall outside of this realm, including transportation and land use.
www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/hia.htm

Council of State Governments, States Promote Transit-Oriented Development
This article examines the emergence of state-promoted transit-oriented development. Transit-oriented developments are centered around mass transit systems in order to encourage walking, bicycling and mass transit ridership. It eliminates the need for automobile usage, which benefits the environment and reduces traffic and congestion.
www.csg.org/pubs/Documents/sn0803SmartGrowth.pdf

International City/County Management Association, Creating a Blueprint for Healthy Community Design, A Local Government Guide to Reforming Zoning and Land Development Codes
Designed for local government officials, this guide provides a strategic framework for reforming zoning and related development codes to encourage the design of more compact, vibrant and healthy communities.
http://icma.org/upload/library/2005-08/%7BB0B1B25D-AF97-4432-967C4174F1213716%7D.pdf

Leadership for Healthy Communities, Tax Increment Financing: A Tool for Advancing Healthy Eating and Active Living
This policy brief examines the promise of Tax Increment Financing as a means of funding initiatives that promote healthy kids and healthy communities.
www.leadershipforhealthycommunities.org/images/stories/lhc_policybrief_tif_31.pdf

Local Government Commission, Community Image Survey CD
The Community Image Survey CD is a tool for helping policy-makers and their constituents address community design, land-use and transportation issues. It uses images to help participants evaluate the existing environment and envision their community’s future. Tailored for the needs of each community, the survey provides a foundation for planning and implementation efforts.
http://www2.lgc.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?categoryId=1&typeId=0&itemId=55

Local Government Commission, Creating Great Neighborhoods, Density in Your Community
This report addresses the need to consider community density during the design process. According to the report, when density is properly incorporated into design projects, there is an increased potential to foster a sense of community, preserve open spaces, provide housing options, achieve local economic development goals and create walkable neighborhoods.
www.lgc.org/freepub/docs/community_design/reports/density_manual.pdf

Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP), Healthy Planning Program
PHLP’s Healthy Planning program provides valuable tools to promote and enforce healthier communities through land use, economic development and redevelopment policies. Local governments, private developers and community groups can all work together to create patterns of development that improve community health.
www.phlpnet.org/healthy-planning

Smart Growth, Smart Energy Toolkit
This toolkit provides policy-makers with useful information on model bylaws, case studies and other information on topics such as inclusionary zoning and environmental justice.
www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/pages/how-to-SG.html

Starting a Business Improvement District (BID), a Step-by-Step Guide
This report highlights the importance of BIDs and also outlines the necessary steps in establishing one. While this tool was published by the New York City Department of Small Business Services, it can be used by any community interested in developing a BID.
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/sbs/downloads/pdf/bid_guide_complete.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and CDBG Toolkit on Cross Cutting Issues
This Web site provides information about the CDBG program, which provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. The toolkit provides information about financial management; the environmental review process; federal labor standards; rules of fair housing and non-discrimination practices; and statutes, regulations, forms and other documents that guide the acquisition and relocation process for state and local governmental organizations.
www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/toolkit/index.cfm
www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs

2. Improve Community Design Features to Encourage Physical Activity

The Issues and the Research: Almost two-thirds of youth fall short of meeting the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation that they get 60 minutes of physical activity on most days.⁷ An analysis of studies in six communities found that, on average, residents in highly walkable neighborhoods took twice as many walking trips as people in less walkable neighborhoods–mostly to work or to run errands.⁸ Based on a thorough review of the evidence, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends community- and street- scale urban design and land use policies to increase physical activity. ⁹

Potential Stakeholders

Policy-makers
State and local elected and appointed officials

Others Government and Community Stakeholders
Planning officials
Parks and recreation officials
County and city health officials
Community members

Policy and Program Options

Street and sidewalk accessibility
State and local policy-makers can improve the pedestrian experience in downtown areas and retail centers, and make entrances to civic buildings, such as schools, directly accessible for pedestrians. They can adopt a complete streets policy, develop a pedestrian master plan and/or a bicycle master plan, and examine the funding mechanisms to increase investment in pedestrian facilities.

Design guidelines to encourage activity
Local and state policy-makers can develop guidelines aimed at providing wider sidewalks, trees that shade parks and paths, benches for people to rest, off-street parking and walkways from parking to sidewalks—efforts that can contribute to higher rates of physical activity. In addition, state and local governments can lead efforts to create walkable environments around historic and cultural features of the community. Local policy-makers can adopt design and construction guidelines that make stairs more appealing and encourage people to use them. Signs could be placed near both elevators and stairs as well as in shopping malls, train and bus stations, schools and libraries.

Getting Started

State and local policy-makers can work with their departments of transportation to balance the needs of motorists with those using other modes of transportation, such as bicyclists. Local policy-makers can consider the ratio of building height to street right-of-way width to create a comfortable pedestrian experience (ideal ratio: 1:3 to 1:2); ensure that roadways and crossings are adjacent; and consider traffic volume, speed and crossing distances.
Local officials can conduct a walkability audit to identify locations that are not safe or comfortable for walking and places for improvement.

Resources

International City/County Management Association, Active Living and Social Equity: Creating Healthy Communities for All Residents. A Guide for Local Government
This report examines the link between health and the built environment, and it describes a number of ways that local governments can remove barriers and promote health equity. Solutions include increasing walkability and pedestrian safety; providing safe bicycle pathways and open spaces; improving transportation infrastructure; and increasing food access and affordability.
http://bookstore.icma.org/freedocs/Active%20Living%20Code%20Reform.pdf

Local Government Commission, Land-Use Planning Tools
This site provides tools that can be used to increase public participation in community and land-use planning. Tools include a computer simulation to allow the public to conceptualize what the redesigned area will look like; a visual survey allowing the public to rate an image on a scale of one to 10; and land-use mapping that allows the public to create different development strategies using board games or computer software.
www.lgc.org/freepub/community_design/participation_tools/index.html

National Center for Bicycling and Walking (NCBW)
This Web site provides information about the NCBW, a program of the Bicycle Federation of America, Inc. NCBW provides community-based workshops, consulting services, training programs for public and transportation agencies, and economic development and tourism planning analysis.
www.bikewalk.org

National Conference of State Legislatures, The Legislative Role in Healthy Community Design
This report examines state legislation during a two-year period that encourages physical activity and access to healthy food. Much of this legislation was collaborative and required state and local governments to come together to fund, implement and oversee projects.
www.leadershipforhealthycommunities.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91

National Complete Streets Coalition
Complete street policies direct transportation planners and engineers to consistently design streets with all users in mind. Policy-makers can use the information and resources on this site to improve the way their roads are planned, designed and constructed.
www.completestreets.org/policies.html
www.completestreets.org

National Policy & Legal Analysis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity (NPLAN), Complete Streets
NPLAN has surveyed existing law, conducted extensive legal research, and consulted with legal and policy experts to create model Complete Streets local ordinances and state statutes, and local and state/regional non-binding resolutions. There is also an Appendix Findings document with evidence-backed factual conclusions to support a community’s decision to enact a Complete Streets resolution or law, a “What are Complete Streets?” fact sheet and Model Comprehensive Plan Language on Complete Streets.
www.nplanonline.org/nplan/complete-streets

1 Heath G, Brownson R, Kruger J, et al. “The Task Force on Community Preventive Services. The Effectiveness of Urban Design and Land Use and Transport Policies and Practices to Increase Physical Activity: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 3(1S): S55-S76, 2006.
2 Giles-Corti Band Donovan R. “The Relative Influence of Individual, Social, and Physical Environment Determinants of Physical Activity.” Social Science and Medicine, 54(12):1793-1812, June 2002.
3 Ibid.
4 Designing for Active Transportation, San Diego: Active Living Research, February 2005.
5 Lopez-Zetina J, Lee H and Friis R. “The Link Between Obesity and the Built Environment. Evidence from an Ecological Analysis of Obesity and Vehicle Miles of Travel in California.” Health & Place, 12(4): 656-664, December 2006.
6 Ewing R, Schmid T, Killingsworth R, et al. “Relationship Between Urban Sprawl and Physical Activity, Obesity, and Morbidity.” American Journal of Health Promotion, 18(1): 47-57, September/October 2003.
7 Eaton D, Kann L, Kinchen S, et al. “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States 2005.” CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 55(SS-5):1-108, June. 2006.
8 Saelens B, Salis J and Frank L, “Environmental Correlates of Walking and Cycling: Findings from the Transportation, Urban Design, and Planning Literatures.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 25(2): 80-91, Spring 2003.
9 Guide to Community Preventive Services: Promoting Physical Activity: Environmental and Policy Approaches. Atlanta: Community Guide Branch, National Center for Health Marketing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2009. Available at http://www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/environmental-policy/index.html.

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Land Use for Active Living