Healthy community design

• Decreases dependence on the automobile by building homes, businesses, schools, churches and parks closer to each other so that people can more easily walk or bike between them.
• Provides opportunities for people to be physically active and socially engaged as part of their daily routine, improving the physical and mental health of its citizens.
• Allows persons, if they choose, to age in place and remain all their lives in a community that reflects their changing lifestyles and changing physical capabilities.

  Health benefits

• Promote physical activity
• Promote a diet free of additives, preservatives, and pesticides
• Improve air quality
• Lower risk of injuries
• Increase social connection and sense of community
• Reduce contributions to climate change

  Principles

• Encourage mixed land use and greater land density to shorten distances between homes, workplaces, schools and recreation so people can walk or bike more easily to them.
• Provide good mass transit to reduce the dependence upon automobiles. Build good pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including sidewalks and bike paths that are safely removed from automobile traffic as well as good right of way laws and clear, easy-to-follow signage.
• Ensure affordable housing is available for people of all income levels. *Create community centers where people can gather and mingle as part of their daily activities.
• Offer access to green space and parks.