Abstract
Communities across the United States have been reforming their zoning codes to create pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods with increased street connectivity, mixed use and higher density, open space, transportation infrastructure, and a traditional neighborhood structure. Zoning code reforms include new urbanist zoning such as the SmartCode, form-based codes, transects, transportation and pedestrian-oriented developments, and traditional neighborhood developments. To examine the relationship of zoning code reforms and more active living--oriented zoning provisions with adult active travel to work via walking, biking, or by using public transit. Zoning codes effective as of 2010 were compiled for 3,914 municipal-level jurisdictions located in 471 counties and 2 consolidated cities in 48 states and the District of Columbia, and that collectively covered 72.9% of the U.S. population. Zoning codes were evaluated for the presence of code reform zoning and nine pedestrian-oriented zoning provisions (1 = yes): sidewalks, crosswalks, bike-pedestrian connectivity, street connectivity, bike lanes, bike parking, bike-pedestrian trails/paths, mixed-use development, and other walkability/pedestrian orientation. A zoning scale reflected the number of provisions addressed (out of 10). Five continuous outcome measures were constructed using 2010-2014 American Community Survey municipal-level 5-year estimates to assess the percentage of workers: walking, biking, walking or biking, or taking public transit to work OR engaged in any active travel to work. Regression models controlled for municipal-level socioeconomic characteristics and a GIS-constructed walkability scale and were clustered on county with robust standard errors. Adjusted models indicated that several pedestrian-oriented zoning provisions were statistically associated (p < 0.05 or lower) with increased rates of walking, biking, or engaging in any active travel (walking, biking, or any active travel) to work: code reform zoning, bike parking (street furniture), bike lanes, bike-pedestrian trails/paths, other walkability, mixed-use zoning, and a higher score on the zoning scale. Public transit use was associated with code reform zoning and a number of zoning measures in Southern jurisdictions but not in non-Southern jurisdictions. As jurisdictions revisit their zoning and land use policies, they may want to evaluate the pedestrian-orientation of their zoning codes so that they can plan for pedestrian improvements that will help to encourage active travel to work.
Highlights
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least 150 min a week of moderate intensity physical activity (PA) through activities such as brisk walking or bicycling on ground level or an area with few hills or 75 min weekly of vigorous intensity PA through such activities as running or jogging [1, 2]
Code reform zoning was associated with increased rates of biking to work (β = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02–0.23) and marginally associated with walking and taking public transit to work
Rates of walking to work were significantly higher in municipalities whose zoning codes included provisions for bike parking (β = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.14–0.62); bike-pedestrian trails/paths (β = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.05–0.47); other walkability/pedestrian access (β = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.02–0.47); and mixed-use development (β = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.10–0.50)
Summary
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least 150 min a week of moderate intensity physical activity (PA) through activities such as brisk walking or bicycling on ground level or an area with few hills or 75 min weekly of vigorous intensity PA through such activities as running or jogging [1, 2]. The majority of Americans (52%) do not meet the Physical Activity Guidelines and the national median of adults who do not engage in any PA is 22.6% [3, 4]. Among physically active adults, walking was reported as one of the top two activities in which the majority of male and female adults reported being engaged [7]. Purpose: To examine the relationship of zoning code reforms and more active living-oriented zoning provisions with adult active travel to work via walking, biking, or by using public transit Zoning code reforms include new urbanist zoning such as the SmartCode, form-based codes, transects, transportation and pedestrian-oriented developments, and traditional neighborhood developments.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
