The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46348

Michael Rios, MARCH, MCP, Hamer Center for Community Design Assistance, The Pennsylvania State University, 227 East Calder Way, University Park, PA 16801, 814 865-5300, mxr43@psu.edu and Kelleann Foster, BLA, MLA, Department of Landscape Architecture, The Pennsylvania State University, 210 Engineering Unit D, University Park, PA 16802.

Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of obesity in the United States-over 56% of the population is considered overweight, while close to 20% are considered obese. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, nearly 70% of Pennsylvanians are at risk for health problems related to a lack of physical activity. The built environment is often cited as one of the leading contributors of sedentary behavior. When we look at community design over the past 50 years, it is no surprise that the built environment contributes to obesity and sedentary behavior. What can communities do to create environments that support healthier lifestyles? Healthy communities are places that provide easy access to green spaces and promote walking and exercise, while reducing dependency on cars. Unfortunately, many communities lack the tools necessary to create these environments due to outdated municipal zoning ordinances and development standards. PennSCAPEs, a new highly illustrative multimedia code for neighborhood development, is as an education and empowerment tool for citizens and municipal officials to learn about community design strategies that promote healthy lifestyles. Developed by the Hamer Center for Community Design Assistance at Penn State, PennSCAPEs encourages more efficient use of land to support alternative modes of transportation, open space preservation and neighborhood economic development. This presentation will provide health professionals with key concepts and ideas that link the physical layout of neighborhoods with the creation of environments that support physical activity. The presenters will also demonstrate the PennSCAPEs code, and distribute free CD-ROM's to session participants.

Learning Objectives:

• List five strategies that link the physical layout of a community with the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
• Identify elements in local land use and zoning regulations that either increase or decrease physical activity in the layout and configuration of community spaces.
• Adopt model "healthy" development code as a local ordinance or development guidelines.

Keywords: Community Planning, Environmental Health

Related Web page: www.hamercenter.psu.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Hamer Center for Community Design Assistance, Penn State University
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Director