Advocates for children and the elderly are beginning to understand the link between sprawl and the detrimental social and physical impacts it has on these often isolated segements of our society. Earlier this week, the American Academy of Pediatrics adopted a ground-breaking policy statement on the link between how we build communities and the health of the children in those communities. Citing that an estimated 32% of American children are overweight, and physical inactivity contributes to this high prevalence of overweight, the policy statement makes the following recommendations for government officials:
1. Pass and promote laws and regulations to create new or expand existing efforts to promote active living.
2. Create and maintain playgrounds, parks, and greenspaces within communities as well as the means to access them safely.
3. Promote legislation and fund programs that allowcommunities to create programs and environmental improvements to neighborhoods that can support children's active commuting to school.
4. Fund research on the impact of the built environment at neighborhood and community levels on the promotion of overall health and active lifestyles for children and families.
5. Serve as a model for communities. Whenever possible, new government buildings should be sited within walking distance of public transportation, walking trails, and residential areas to promote active living.
And in related news the AARP Public Policy Institute recently released a report that encourages roadway planners and engineers to approach road design through the lens of Complete Streets and employ design strategies that support older drivers and pedestrians. Specifially, the report recommends three basic planning and design principles:
Slow Down - Engineer roadways to reduce vehicle travel speeds in areas where drivers and pedestrians interact and where older drivers and pedestrians need more time to make decisions.
Make It Easy - Make the physical layout of the transportation network easy to navigate for older drivers and pedestrians by creating a connected network of streets with lower-speed routes and intersections that are easier to maneuver.
Enjoy the View - Make it easy for drivers and pedestrians to notice, read, understand, and respond to visual cues by reducing sign clutter, creating better access management, and improving landscaping, signs, and lighting to make the roadway more intuitive.
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