Here's to Your Health (part II)

From PCJ Editor Wayne Senville:

In Monday's post I wrote about the new health element in Richmond, California's general plan. But this focus on the relationship between public health and planning isn't just some California thing. At this month's national Smart Growth Conference, dozens of health professionals from across the country were in attendance, making connections with planners and local officials.

Take Columbus, Ohio. Planner Christina Godward (on left) was hired last year by Dr. Teresa Long, the city's health commissioner, to serve as the Public Health Department's "Healthy Places Coordinator." Godward's job is to bridge the gap between public health professionals and planners -- and also to work with neighborhoods to promote healthier living. As Long put it, "we needed a boundary spanner, someone with one foot in public health and the other in planning."

During the Conference, Godward described the "language" barriers between health and planning professionals, each with its own jargon and areas of emphasis. But a focus on increasing walkability and bikeability seems to be working. As she observed, "physical activity is something everyone 'gets,' adding that "it's hard to argue with health!"

One project has involved developing basic neighborhood walking maps.

The focus is on providing a simple map that indicates common daily destinations and possible walking routes within neighborhoods. (You can visit the site and download a map to see what they're like).

Godward also sits in on technical review meetings within the planning department, with an eye on ensuring that new development projects take into account pedestrian and bicyclist needs.

Just two examples -- Richmond, California, and Columbus, Ohio -- of the connections between public health and planning that are increasingly being found in communities across the country.

Note: we also briefly reported on the role of health impact assessments as one of our "25 Bright Ideas for Planners." Click on the image below to view it at a readable size.