Getting Started on Land Use for Active Living

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

• 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 geographic 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 for 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 programs.
• 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.

Improve Community Design Features to Encourage Physical Activity

• 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.