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Planning and Health

Public health practitioners promote active transportation - walking, bicycling, and transit (as people usually walk to transit) - as a way to improve mental and physical health. We've collected resources for health professionals and planners to improve community health through planning.

Two bicyclists enjoy a low-stress ride in Vancouver, BC 

Walkability expert Mark Fenton hears from community leadersIn December 2015, national walkability expert Mark Fenton visited several Oregon cities to talk about connecting health and transportation.

The visit was sponsored by TGM, in partnership with local and regional governments, and the Oregon Health Authority. Videos are from a presentation in Corvallis.

Watch the talk in full, or view key excerpts.

Klamath Falls leaders examine a map of health problemsTigard adopted a goal is to be the #1 walkable city in the Pacific Northwest. It is taking actions through various departments to promote walking.

In Klamath Falls, the health community analyzed options and identified a separated bike lane as the project most likely to improve health.

In suburban Washington County, the County conducted a health impact assessment which identified a key bridge investment to connect a community to schools.

In Clackamas County, the County studied impacts of a safety effort on Highway 99E.

HEAL Cities lists more examples of cities working to promote transportation choice and smart land use planning in their plans.

In Klamath Falls, Roseburg, Grants Pass and The Dalles, the Blue Zones Project is working with cities to improve community health.

Two kids walk to school 

Contacts

Laura Buhl
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
laura.buhl@dlcd.oregon.gov
Phone: 971-375-3552

Stephanie Millar
Oregon Department of Transportation
stephanie.l.millar@odot.state.or.us
Phone: 503-986-4224

Stephen C. White
Oregon Health Authority
stephen.c.white@state.or.us
Phone: 971-673-0245