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Planning Information Sheet:Integrating Health into Comprehensive Planning
<br /> elements can be informed by the connection For example,in its transportation element,Eden
<br /> between health and the built environment. Prairie,Minnesota,has a section on bicycle and
<br /> Decisions that communities make about land use, pedestrian facilities,along with guidelines related
<br /> transportation, environment,parks,open space, to roadways,transit and airports.One of the
<br /> and community facilities can all have implications implementation strategies in the plan states that,
<br /> for health.See www.designforhealth.net for a "The City will pursue the continued development
<br /> variety of ways to incorporate health into key of pedestrian trails and bikeways that meet the
<br /> comprehensive plan elements and ordinances. recreational needs of its citizens,and provide
<br /> an alternative means of transportation." (City
<br /> The City of Saint Paul,Minnesota, already lists of Eden Prairie 2000).Also in Minnesota,Saint
<br /> "well-being" among its overarching planning Louis Park's comprehensive plan illustrates
<br /> themes.The City's comprehensive plan states, another approach and opportunity.Section lU
<br /> "Well-being for Saint Paul's citizens depends on public facilities has an entire chapter entitled
<br /> on economic growth and life-supporting jobs, "Public Health and Safety" (the other chapters
<br /> as well as cultural, educational and recreational include"Aviation Plan," "Water Supply Plan,"
<br /> opportunities,including community services that "Sewer Plan and Solid Water," and"Surface
<br /> nurture family and individual life"(City of Saint Paul Water Resource Management").While it tends
<br /> 1999). to focus more on fire,police,medical emergency,
<br /> King County,Washington,has taken a and public works,the chapter could be expanded
<br /> proactive approach to integrating health into its to address other aspects of health(City of Saint
<br /> p pp g g
<br /> comprehensive plan.By directing development Louis Park 1998).
<br /> and higher densities to cities and urban centers, Many communities include elements related to
<br /> the County is accomplishing its growth- public health or human services.These elements
<br /> management goals,but also concentrating new may address a range of health issues,including
<br /> population growth in areas with a mix of land mental health,air quality,water quality, and
<br /> uses,existing services and facilities,and higher safety.Palm Beach County,Florida,for example,
<br /> densities as a means of promoting health.King includes safety goals related to protection from
<br /> County also connects environmental planning to environmental hazards,emergency management
<br /> health,providing actions related to improving air and training of health workers(County of Palm
<br /> quality.As a complement to its comprehensive Beach 2001).Spokane,Washington,added a
<br /> plan,the County also completed a land-use, social-health element to its comprehensive plan.
<br /> transportation, air quality, and health study to As noted in the plan, "Healthy communities
<br /> assess how land-use patterns affect air quality embrace a complex set of factors that contribute
<br /> (County of King 2004). to good health:housing choices, clean natural
<br /> environments, efficient public transportation,
<br /> 2.Corrective/Selective Amendments employment options,job training,quality
<br /> This approach is a strategic way to update or add education,cultural and recreational opportunities,
<br /> to existing comprehensive plan content,without room for diversity,accessible health services,
<br /> revising the entire document.Approaches might and preventive services" (City of Spokane
<br /> include adding short text amendments,such as Z001).Comprehensive plan elements like these
<br /> defining health to include a broader range of examples.could certainly be added or expanded
<br /> issues than are addressed in the current plan. to address a broader range of health issues.
<br /> Drafting supplemental sections or full elements
<br /> can be a useful way to address health in a manner Air quality is an important health issue that can
<br /> that responds to local concerns.Options include
<br /> be addressed in a community's comprehensive
<br /> providing goals and policies for non-motorized plan.Some cities,primarily in the western states
<br /> transportation, adding a section on mitigating and including Carson,California,include an
<br /> impervious surfaces,or adding an air-quality element in their comprehensive plans specific
<br /> element. to air quality.The element includes air-quality
<br /> data,information on state and federal air-quality
<br /> Design for Health 7 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
<br /> www.designlorhealth.net -
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