Establishing a Framework for Healthy Community Design in Massachusetts.
Gorwood, Christine.
2013
-
Abstract: Evolving
evidence shows that changes need to be made to the built environment in the United
States to reduce the health burden that has developed as a result of a lack of physical
activity. The United States is experiencing a chronic disease crisis with the underlying
cause for this epidemic being dramatic increases in the proportion of the population who
are overweight, obese, or ... read morelacking in sufficient levels of physical activity. A directed
search of the primary and secondary literature was conducted to identify the various
guidelines and standards that have been developed to make recommendations for designing
more healthful communities. These guidelines were reviewed and fifteen built environment
design elements were selected by the author based on their relevance for the promotion
of physical activity. The format of the Design Element documents was created to provide
key information to relevant stakeholders during the various stages of the project design
and planning processes. Evaluative feedback on the selected Design Elements was obtained
via an on-line survey from professionals from various organizations working to promote
physical activity within various organizations in Massachusetts. Most of the feedback
was related to the following topics; adding information such as examples of existing
projects to the Design Elements, refining the final set of Design Elements, and
providing contextual background for users. Suggestions/recommendations were incorporated
into the final Design Elements which will be used by the Pioneer Valley Planning
Commission as part of a Healthy Community Design Toolkit being developed for use in
Massachusetts to design more healthful
communities.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2013.
Submitted to the Dept. of Civil Engineering.
Advisor: David Gute.
Committee: Lea Susan Ojamaa.
Keywords: Environmental health, and Urban planning.read less - ID:
- cj82kk67d
- Component ID:
- tufts:21913
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
