Accessibility
Being able to reach or access a variety of destinations (e.g., jobs, financial institutions, social contacts, health services, and grocery stores) is critical to many dimensions of a healthy community. Particularly for the elderly, the young or the financially disadvantaged, transit is the mode of transportation that provides such access (where walking or cycling is too burdensome). Opportunities to access transit service, in terms of service location and service time, often rely on certain levels of density.
Design for Health (DFH) Materials
- Planning Information Sheet: Promoting Accessibility with Comprehensive Planning and Ordinances (867 KB)
- Key Questions Research Summary: Accessibility (717 KB)
- Image Resources
- Event Presentations
- Topical Planning Guides
- Comprehensive Plan Review Checklists
- Example Plans
- Fact Sheets and Posters
- Journals and Journal Articles
- PowerPoint Presentations
- Protocols, Kits and Guides
- Reports and Guidelines
- Web Sites
- Active Living Research Briefing: Fact Sheet Overview
In this fast-moving research area, these documents provide an overview of older research and public-health recommendations on active living and activity-friendly environments. - Housing Density Fact Sheets
These two-page documents present local examples of housing and neighborhoods in and near Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The housing examples range in density from seven dwelling units per acre (du/ac) to 110 du/ac. Each is presented with ground and aerial photographs, as well as a location map. Descriptions of the housing and site characteristics and census data—at the census tract and block levels—provide detailed information about each example.
- Active Living Research: Special Issues
Active Living Research, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has sponsored a number of special journal issues, all available online on its Web site. These include:
- The Role of the Built Environment in Supporting Active Living and Health: A Review of Research Findings (13 MB. It may take a few moments to open.)
This presentation from Active Living by Design covers the findings from a variety of researchers. It is divided into three main sections: "What is the built environment?"; "Effects of the built environment on behavior, natural environment, health, and society"; and "Active community environments and their impact on health." - Design Pointer Number 3: Defining Mixed-use Development
This is a PowerPoint presentation with the following contents: a brief history of mixed use; mixed-use development today; benefits of mixed use; mixed-use scales and issues; and mixed use in the Twin Cities.
- Active Living Research: Tools and Measures
This Web site provides links to over fifteen urban-design and park audit tools, produced by researchers from a variety of institutions, including the University of Minnesota, Harvard School of Public Health, and the University of Western Australia.
- Environment and Physical Activity GIS Protocols Manual
Developed in conjunction with the Twin Cities Walking Study, this manual provides protocols for measuring environmental variables associated with walking. It is periodically updated.
- Mapping Park Buffers: The Minnesota Method 2005 (716 KB)
This Metropolitan Design Center technical paper, revised in 2005, illustrates a method of identifying access to open space along a street network, as opposed to the simpler technique of using straight-line buffers. This approach deals with physical and human barriers to park access in a more realistic way.
- Improving Conditions for Bicycling and Walking: A Best Practices Report
This "Best Practices" report from the Rails–to-Trails Conservancy and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals provides information on some outstanding pedestrian and bicycle projects that have been recognized for increasing walking and bicycling, and improving user safety in communities across the United States. - Sample Pedestrian Plans
A collection of plans from WalkingInfo.org, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. - Pedestrian Facilities Design Guide
This Georgia Department of Transportation publication provides guidance regarding the design, construction, and maintenance of pedestrian and streetscape facilities. It provides technical recommendations on things like sidewalk width, trail composition, etc.
- Active Living by Design: Publications
Documents include publications, policy briefs, and research reports; and are divided into the following categories: community development; design; land use; parks, trails, and greenways; places and settings; public health; and transportation. - Active Living Research: Citations
This Web page provides links to a wide variety of active living-related research papers. You can view the list for all articles from 2004-05, or view them by category. Categories include, but are not limited to: concepts and models, health behavior; measuring the environment, measuring physical activity, and nutrition. - Walk to School Day
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, has useful tips on decreasing traffic injuries among children, including its report on National Strategies for Advancing Child Pedestrian Safety. - InformeDesign
InformeDesign is a research and communication tool for designers. Its search engine provides research summaries on many health themes. Each article summary has the following elements: design issue, design criteria, key concepts, research method, limitations, and commentary. - Universal Design Education Online
This site supports educators and students in their teaching and study of universal design. Universal design is an approach to the design of all products and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability, or situation. - Center for Universal Design
This is a collaboration between North Carolina State University, the University of Buffalo and Global Universal Design Educator Network. It is a terrific site on universal design and includes a section for online resources, as well as basic overview articles on universal design. - Universal Design and Visitability: from Accessibility to Zoning
A free e-book for environmental designers, planners, and others interested in universal design. The book introduces the concepts of universal design and "visitability". It aims to provide the information needed to teach the concept of universal design, and to plan, design, and draft policy for making spaces comfortably accessible to everyone.
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