Activity-inducing streets win public support

A study by six researchers at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that two-thirds of Americans are willing to write letters or pay higher taxes if those actions will result in a more activity-friendly neighborhood environment.

The study sought to determine how much public support exists for "street-scale urban design features and policies" such as continuous sidewalks, improved street lighting, traffic-calming, and enhanced landscape aesthetics. The results were reported in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health by Susan A. Carlson, Roxanna Guide, Thomas L. Schmid, Latetia V. Moore, Danielle T. Barradas, and Janet E. Fulton, all with the CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity in Atlanta.

Based on a national sample of American adults, the researchers found:

"About two-thirds of adults were willing to take one or more civic actions to support local policy aimed at improving neighborhood features. .... More that 40% were willing to write letters only, 16.1% were willing to pay more in taxes only, 5.9% were willing to write letters and pay more in taxes, and 4.0% were willing to run for office...."

"A majority of adults (56.6%) rated their neighborhood features as having high importance ... in determining physical activity levels ...." Neighborhood features were regarded as especially important by people 65 and older and by blacks and Hispanics.

The authors note that the Guide to Community Preventive Services identifies eight strategies to increase physical activity, one of them being street scale urban design/land use policies and practices. These can boost  the percentage of people walking, bicycling, and playing outdoors, the Guide says. 

Consequently, the authors say, "it may be useful to organize community members into coalitions. Creating coalitions across community organizations and agencies can help to influence local policy and resource expenditure21 and often can result in increased community empowerment and sustainability. Potential barriers to street-scale urban design policies that communities will need to address include the expense of changing existing streetscapes and the need for careful planning and coordination among urban planners, architects, engineers, developers, and public health professionals."

Download the full report below.