Integrating Health into Community Design Tina Zenzola, MPH Safe & Healthy Communities Consulting...

Integrating Health into Community Design

Tina Zenzola, MPHSafe & Healthy Communities Consulting

(619) 281-1656tzenzola@sbcglobal.net

New Partners for Smart Growth Conference , 2005

Existing Conditions

Safe, Active and Healthy Communities

?

SHCC

Active living and other public health efforts to

change the built environment

Existing Conditions

Safe, Active and Healthy Communities

Land Use & Transportatio

n Planning Process

SHCC

Active living and other public health efforts to

change the built environment

Land Use Planning• How communities decide what gets

built where (and what it looks like)• County, city, community (& regional)

levels• Planning dept.; community advisory

council; planning commission; electeds, (MPO)

• Key policies & processes:– Master plan & community plans– Zoning– Redevelopment, revitalization– Subdivision Plans– Development Review– Bike and Pedestrian Master Plans– Capital Improvement Projects

Requires public

outreach and input

into process

SHCC

Transportation Planning• How regions decide what

types of transportation systems are built and/or improved

• Federal, state & regional level

• FHWA; DOT; MPO; transit agencies

• Key policies & processes:– Regional Transportation Plan– Regional Comprehensive

Plan

Requires public

outreach and input

into process

SHCC

Traffic Engineering• The designs, standards and

processes for traffic operations and safety (streets, sidewalks)

• County & city level• FHWA; state DOT; public

works/traffic engineering dept; (ITE)

• Key policies & processes:– Street design standards– Traffic calming protocols– Warrants– Maintenance programs– Capital Improvement

Projects

SHCC

Strategic Levels for Integrating Health and Active Living

UpstreamInfluence the overarching vision, policies & standards

MidstreamInterject healthy design into slated projects

DownstreamRetrofit yesterday’s mistakesSHCC

Downstream: retrofit yesterday’s mistakes

Safe Routes to School projects

Residential traffic calming

Improve intersection near senior housing

SHCC

School Routes in Marin County

• Broad coalition; lead = bike group

• Identified walkability problems

• Safety and PA as key messages

• Mobilized schools, community

• Safety improvements & increased awareness

Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden

Midstream: interject healthy design into slated projects

Redevelopment/revitalization projects

Capital improvement projects Development Review

SHCC

Transportation Justice in Oakland, CA

• Scrapped BART’s original plan for a parking garage

• Result = TOD with mixed housing, shops, offices, library, child care, health clinic, ped plaza

• Health benefits = reduced traffic & air pollution; increased walking & transit; access to services

SHCCFruitvale Transit Village, Oakland

Saving a Rural Main Street• Road widening - capital

“improvement” project • Land uses ignored• Walkability jeopardized• Negative impact on

businesses & community• Advocates provide

safety message & design alternatives

• Result: County DPW changed it’s plan & policy

SHCC

Upstream: influence the overarching vision, polices and standards

SHCC

Funding Walkable Communities in Sacramento’s RTP

• Diverse coalition of advocates

• Public health=major player & issue

• Outcome=3% of RTP for pedestrian/bike facilities ($631M)

Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden

SHCC

Pedestrian Guidelines in San Diego• Walkable Advisory

Committee to MPO• Public health at the

table• Serves as guide to

cities in the region• $1 million in

demonstration grants• Adoption &

Implementation ????

Revise Street Design Standards• Make it possible to

build safe streets• Institutionalize

pedestrian friendly design

• Provide models from other communities

• Monitor adherence to new standards

SHCC

Photo: www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden

Neighborhood,city, county, regional level

Strip mall, transit node

Intersection, schoolroute

Influence the overarching

vision, policies & standards

Interject healthy design into

slated projects

Retrofit yesterday’s

mistakes

Move upstream for the greatest impact

Upstream Midstream Downstream

SHCC

Getting Sidewalks on School Routes: from Baby Steps to Big Steps

SHCC

• Include in community plan update• SR2S

Project

• WSD event with walk audit

• Get routine accommodation w/all CIPs

• Change local standards to require 5ft sidewalks

• Develop a pedestrian master plan

• Schools, school area

• Community

• Ducks lined up

• Citywide

• MPO, DPW, Planning

• Money lined up

• Citywide

• DPW, Planning

• Standards/Policy

• Citywide

• DPW, Planning

• Standards/Policy

State Health Agencies: Your Role• Bring attention to the issue• Integrate health into state level Smart Growth

efforts• Collaborate across health programs• Collaborate with state DOT• Build capacity of local programs

• Regional Trainings• Technical Assistance• Mini-grants• Networking

California’s LPHBE Project

Collaborating with public health

• Credible voice• Neutral and skilled convener• Provide the “public health” rationale• Bring the health data and scientific rigor• Link to under-represented groups• Access to new funding streams

But, politics may be a barrier to participation

SHCC

Safe & Healthy Communities Consulting

Linking health and community design4544 Kensington DriveSan Diego, CA 92116

(619) 281-1656tzenzola@sbcglobal.net