Zoning for Healthier Communities

Given the known connection between health and walkable communities, some policymakers are modifying zoning ordinances in hopes of improving residents’ health.  Jeff Speck, in his book Walkable City, asserts that people walk more when it is useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting. 

Walkability can be increased through purposeful zoning.  For example, horizontally-planned Los Angeles County adopted its Healthy Design Ordinance in February.  It seeks to promote walking, bicycling, and other exercise by:

• widening minimum sidewalk widths and requiring pedestrian paths at the end of certain roads, including new cul-de-sacs;
• forming a continuous street tree canopy by requiring increased tree planting near sidewalks;
• requiring new and remodeled buildings to provide bike parking;
• authorizing community gardens in more areas;
• making it easier for farmers’ markets to get permits; and
• requiring more specific plans for sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, street furniture, and bike parking from developers, to ensure these features are executed.

Wondering how walkable a particular community is?  Walkscore.com provides information on neighborhood retail, school, dining, and transportation options.