WS 1A Building the Case for Street Design that Supports Health
1. Building the case for street design
that supports health
Colin Harris and Dana Dickman
Alta Planning + Design
International Open Streets Summit
Portland, 2016
2. Ideas….
• How does transportation
impact health?
• Where does good health come
from?
• How does open streets
support community health?
• Can open streets inspire
investment?
3. The current U.S. transportation infrastructure focuses on
motor vehicle travel and provides limited support for other
transportation options for most Americans. (Center for Disease
Control & Prevention)
4. *Sample size <50 or the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) ≥ 30%.
Prevalence of Self-Reported Obesity Among U.S.
Adults (BRFSS, 2014)
5. Health starts long before illness; it
starts in our homes, schools,
neighborhoods, and jobs
9. Health Impact Pyramid
Health Counseling & Education
Medical Care Interventions
Long-lasting Protective Interventions
Changes to the Environmental Context: Healthy Options = Default Choice
Changes to Socioeconomic Factors
Frieden, T. (2010). A Framework for Public Health Action: The Health Impact Pyramid. American Journal of Public Health, 100(4).
Smallest Impact
Largest Impact
10. Physical Activity & Health beyond Obesity
30 to 60 minutes of daily moderate exercise
reduces risks of colon, lung and breast cancers by
a minimum of 20%.
(National Cancer Institute)
Exposure to traffic emissions is linked to asthma
exacerbation, reduced lung function, adverse
birth outcomes and childhood cancers.
(CDC)
20 minutes of physical activity, 3x a week,
strengthens the lungs, including the lungs of the
1 in 13 people living with asthma in the US.
(US National Library of Medicine)
11. Physical Activity & Social-Mental Wellbeing
Cognitive processing, concentration, creativity
Stress, anxiety, depression
Community gathering, social support networks
Disabilities, balance, independence
12. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities appear
overall to benefit the full spectrum of
society perhaps more broadly than any
other provision of transportation.
Above: TCRP Report 95: Transportation
System Changes Chapter 16— Pedestrian
and Bicycle Facilities
Right: NACTO, Urban Street Design Guide,
Parklets
13. Health and Transportation Connections
TRANSPORTATION
NETWORK
OUTCOME IMPACT
Connectivity & Trip
Length Reduction
Traffic Calming
Measures & Context
Sensitive Solutions
Public Transportation
Opportunities
Pedestrian & Bicycle
Amenities
More People Bike &
Walk
More Community
Engagement
Increased Mobility
Options for Those
Who Cannot Drive
Fewer Crashes
Less Time Spent in
Cars & Reduced Air
Pollution
Increased Physical
Activity
Improved Mental and
Social Health
Weight Management
Reduced Burden of
Chronic Diseases
Muscle & Bone
Strengthening
14. Economic Benefits of Active Transportation
“Every $1 spent on evidence-based programs that
increase physical activity and improve nutrition
saves $5.60 in health spending within five years and
up to $6.20 within 10 years.”
American Public Health Association. “Public Health and Chronic Disease Cost Savings and Return on Investment”
15. For low-income and communities of color, the
lack of safe places to ride in their neighborhoods,
unequal representation in transportation project
planning and unequal financial burdens prevent
equal access to cycling and its benefits.
(Active Living Research)
16. Partnering for the Health of All
• Public Health Departments
• Private business
• Food security advocates
• Health care providers
• Economic development
• Housing advocates
17. Open Streets + Active Transportation
Creating opportunities for community gathering and
physical activity, benefiting physical, mental and social
health of individuals and communities.
109. We are in the business of…
• Creating healthy communities
• Changing norms, attitudes and
behaviors through public
awareness initiatives
• Increasing health equity
• Building a movement for
community health improvement
• Advocating for policy changes
• Evaluating and continually
improving our work
110. Interest in Open Streets
We see Open Streets as a strategic event that
represents the intersection of several areas of
our work. They support community
engagement, organizing, opportunities for
physical activity…and they are fun!
111. Theory of change
Increasedphysicalactivity
Increased
advocacy base
Increased
awareness &
understanding of
active living
principles & value
of community
OpenStreetsEvents
implemented
Social norms
change
Increased
economic activity
at local businesses
Increased
demand for
active living
supports
112. 2014 BY THE NUMBERS
•25 Blue Cross sponsored events in Minnesota
(+1 through ALFA)
•Businesses that closed because of the event: 0
•Mayoral, public works and public safety offices
that would support future events: ALL
•Over 75,000 attendees!
146. Discussion
• Do you currently have an Open Streets initiative
in your community?
• Is there an active living focus or health partner?
• How do you see partnerships developing in your
community to support streets as active places?