How to build a healthy city

Peter Muennig, MD MPHMailman School of Public Health

Percentage of trips in Urban areas made by walking and bicycling in the United States and Germany, by age group

Puchner J, Dijkstra L. Naturally occuring retirement community-supportive service programs: An example of devolution. Am J Public Health. 2003; 93: 1509-1516.

Oakland CA

Acknowledgements to Urban Advantage

Design Elements

• Most daily activities done locally• Greenspace nearby for walks, children, pets.• Nearby transit for work/longer trips• Low-rise walk ups

– Disability access– Amenities like leaded double windows

Walnut Creek, CA Before

Walnut Creek, CA After

Arlington, Virginia

Arlington, Virginia

Strip redeveloped as an urban transit corridor

Goals

• Less noise• Improved aesthetics • Less air pollution/C02• Incorporate exercise into daily activities• Reduce transit time• Reduce emergency responder time• Reduce accidents

What This Looks Like Globally

Bus Rapid Transit

Bogota

Mission Control

Rio

Zero Road Space Bus

Chinese Concept

Hanwang Forum

Aesthetics

Disaster Preparedness

Health

EnvironmentBusiness

Civil Society

Education

Zero energy buildings

Drainage Reflective area

Take Away

• 1. Urban design has huge implications for worker productivity– Exercise = Healthier workforce– Fewer trips = more rested workforce– Improved aesthetics = happier workforce– Less noise = more rested

Take Away

Must think outside of the corporate wellness box:

Wellness should happen inside and outside the workplace

Take Away

• Even small productivity gains can pay for a multibillion dollar investment in an urban area

Take Away

• Many additional benefits • For instance, traffic congestion

– Increases all transaction costs • Time in transit for products• Tickets