This report evaluates the current state of research linking public health and neighborhood design and provides recommendations for integrating the knowledge into the LEED-ND rating system to improve public health.
The LEED-ND Public Health Report comprehensively summarizes the relationship between how our communities are designed -- land use, design character, transportation system, and density -- and a series of public health outcomes such as physical activity, traffic crashes, respiratory health and mental health. This is one of the first reports that not only summarizes the impact of the built environment on public health topics but also discusses how this information can be translated into positive changes to the built environment. The report was supported with funding from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control, and sponsored by the LEED-ND partnership.
The report was prepared for the US Green Building Council (USGBC), Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the participants in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Core Committee. LEED-ND is a rating system for neighborhood location and design based on the combined principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building. The purpose of this report is to better understand the specific development patterns and changes to the built environment will have a significant impact on public health.
FULL STORY: Understanding the Relationship Between Public Health and the Built Environment (PDF, 300KB)
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
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San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
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Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
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Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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