Design Solutions to Reduce Obesity

Research

As mentioned in a previous post, the City of New York created an amazing document, NYC’s Active Design Guidelines, describing research and guidelines based on that research for creating a healthier built environment.  While the previous post focused narrowly on the finer points of stairwell design and their implications for usage and increased activity, today we’ll take a broader focus of the impacts of neighborhood and building design.  From the NYC report:

A study conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, found that each quartile increase of land-use mix—an attribute of neighborhoods that encourages walking—was associated with a 12 percent reduction in the likelihood of obesity. The same study found a link between the walkability of a neighborhood and a reduction in per capita air pollutants and greenhouse gases, supporting the idea that physical activity and environmental improvement are linked.  Cycling even just 15 minutes or 2.5 miles—less than the average commuting distance—twice a day is enough to burn the equivalent of more than 10 pounds annually.  Other studies have found that obesity rates are lower in countries such as Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, where biking infrastructure is better and where more trips are taken by foot, bicycle, and transit.  Numerous studies have linked proximity of parks and other recreational facilities to higher levels of physical activity among both youth and adults.

Implications

The NYC report clearly makes a strong argument for the link between architecture and urban design and health outcomes, but more importantly it offers a series of suggestions for transitioning to healthier towns, cities, and regions.  The primary recommendations are divided into three categories:

• Urban design strategies that create neighborhood streets, outdoor spaces that encourage walking, and active transportation and recreation
• Building design strategies for promoting active living where we work and live (ex: placement and design of stairs, elevators, indoor and outdoor spaces)
• Synergies between active design and sustainable design initiatives

The smart design and regular maintenance of sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parks and open spaces can directly affect public health and well being.  As cities re-examine their guidelines, sidewalk requirements and mixed use zoning should be considered.  It should be noted that LEED-ND encourages many of the same solutions.

Citations

New York City Department of Design + Construction.Active Design Guidelines. Copyright 2009 by the City of New York

Artibise, Yuri. ABC’s of Urbanism. October 5, 2010.

Bassett DR Jr, Pucher J, Buehler R, Thompson DL, & Crouter SE (2008). Walking, cycling, and obesity rates in Europe, North America, and Australia. Journal of physical activity & health, 5 (6), 795-814 PMID: 19164816

Pucher, J., & Buehler, R. (2008). Making Cycling Irresistible: Lessons from The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany Transport Reviews, 28 (4), 495-528 DOI: 10.1080/01441640701806612