09-18-07 PTRC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Planning Information Sheet:Integrating Health into Comprehensive Planning political and public support for integrating health plans.In addition to requiring sections related into the plan and(3)the date and organization to background information and implementation, of the existing plan.Further,a community might the Metropolitan Council requires that Iocal opt to combine several of these approaches, comprehensive plans include four key elements: perhaps providing minor amendments to an existing comprehensive plan and following up by • Land Use drafting relevant ordinance revisions. • Transportation • Parks and Open Space • Water Resources The Metropolitan Council cites three additional elements as optional: • Economic Development • Intergovernmental Coordination • Urbanization and Redevelopment Areas The Metropolitan Council provides general 8 guidance related to the content of these elements A in its"Local Planning Handbook" (2005).While a number of specific requirements are provided, Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis,Minnesota is an example of an communities have a great deal of flexibility in area planned for pedestrians and transit. how they address these requirements and the extent to which they provide additional content. This flexibility presents a significant opportunity Conforming to State Regulations to address a range of health issues,including physical activity,water quality, air quality,food In selecting an approach to integrating health access,safety,social capital,and mental health. in the comprehensive plan,communities Further, the comprehensive planning process also are influenced by existing guidelines presents an opportunity to engage the public related to comprehensive plan content.In in these health issues.Planners can gather some states,planning-enabling legislation information about public values and priorities prescribes particular elements or content that around the issues and help the public to make must be included in a community's plan.In the connection between health and the built other locations,planners are simply guided environment. by traditional approaches to comprehensive planning that rely on a relatively consistent set of elements.Even where a relatively traditional comprehensive planning framework is established,there remain multiple opportunities to address a range of health issues. One example of a traditional comprehensive planning framework is provided by Minnesota's Metropolitan Land Planning Act(Minnesota y Statutes§§473.459-.459)and the Metropolitan Council for plans completed by communities in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul (Twin Cities)seven- county metropolitan area.Specific guidance is Green spaces integrated with housing can have a number of provided related to the timing and content of benefits including improved mental health.This example is in Woodbury,Minnesota Design for Health 9 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, www.designforhealth.not