Researchers examined 24 California cities with populations between 30,000 and 100,000 and correlated street patterns and intersection density with data citizens provided in response to a health survey.
Higher intersection density was associated with lower levels of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Cities with wider streets and more lanes were associated with higher incidences of obesity and diabetes.
Prior studies linked compact cities with people walking more but this study links such cities to better overall health.
Twenty-six of Connecticut’s towns and cities fall within the range of 30,000 to 100,000 people. The researchers noted:
“[C]ities like Hartford and West Hartford reflect the denser, older street design supporting pedestrian movement, while newly developed places like Avon and parts of Mansfield are examples of the more open design featuring sparse major arteries and cul-de-sacs.”
