Building Activity Friendly Environments

Abstract

PURPOSE: Policies that support physical activity are important to the achievement of individual and population heath. A Complete Streets (CS) policy ensures that roads are designed with attention to the needs of all users (bicyclist, pedestrians, motorists, etc). Using CBPR methods, the Partnership for Activity Community Environments (PACE), a multi-disciplinary collaborative (architects, builders, developers, engineers, planners, lenders, health, government) that encourages building activity friendly neighborhoods, hosted multiple townhall meetings to explore the supports and barriers to building activity friendly environments. METHODS: Adhering to a CBPR design, during PACE’s first townhall meeting multiple methods were used to document multi-disciplinary priorities across three levels [investigative team (n = 5), advisory board (n = 11), community (n = 175)]. The development and adoption of a Complete Street policy was identified as a priority issue by participants (n=73). Following this meeting multiple action groups were formed and the CS action group identified and implemented multiple strategies to leverage influence and support for adoption of a CS policy by bringing additional value to existing efforts and by enhancing partner activities over a 3 year period. RESULTS: A comprehensive plan to advocate for CS policy and improve transportation infrastructure was developed and implemented by PACE partners. Multiple strategies (i.e. video production, website, Great Streets summit, pizza with planners, presentations to various groups, were identified and implemented at 3 levels of influence (individual, organizational, community). The goal of establishing a Complete Streets transportation policy was achieved, a CS policy was signed by the mayor in 2013 and is now included in the city’s transportation plan. CONCLUSION: PACE’s collaborative efforts to encourage the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors through CBPR practices were successful at facilitating the adoption of a CS policy in a large, metropolitan government. This process can serve as a model for other communities.