As our communities grow, it is important to consider how land use decisions affect our quality of life.  Public health is tied to plans for growth implementation, and how it impacts physical and mental health.

Physical Health and Sprawl

Communities affected by poorly planned growth, or sprawl, are often dominated by traffic and pavement making our neighborhoods unsafe for pedestrian and bicycle use.  Dependence on our cars is the leading cause of human inactivity.  Research shows that those of us living in sprawling areas have higher rates of obesity and blood pressure.

Poorly planned growth also severly threatens our health through water and air quality.  Pollutants from roadways; such as oil, salt, and sediments, enter our waterways as run-off from miles of pavement, while emissions from automobiles fill the air.  Degradation of these natural resources damages the water we drink and the air we breathe.

Mental Health and Sprawl
Because of sprawl, long commutes and traffic congestion have become a part of our daily lives. In fact, many of us become impatient, angry, and even hostile when travelling to our destinations.  In November 2000, Howard Frumkin, Chair of Environmental and Occupational health at the Emory School of Public Health, introduced statistics that showed road rage was a bigger problem in sprawling cities than condensed ones.  One disturbing statistic came from a poll stating that 5% of respondents said that they “sometimes” or “often” thought about hurting other drivers as a result of frustration from driving. Such aggression is not only unhealthy for the driver, but also for the dozens of other commuters that are in his or her path.

In addition, unmanaged growth causes our social communities to be torn apart as wide roads, strip malls and big box store chains are replacing traditional American main streets that foster a sense of community. This has a tremendous impact on the health of communities as it causes people to become less connected to their communities and to each other. Improving one's mental health has a profound affect on not only the well-being of that individual, but the entire community that he or she is part of.

Smart Growth solutions directly link land-use with transportation solutions, improving water and air quality, and preserving natural areas.  Planning for growth gives us the ability to shape our communities and make them healthier places to live and work.

Solutions
History
Contacts

Related Issues:
Walking and Biking
Air Quality
Affordable Housing
Open Space
Transit Oriented Development
Water Quality

More Information:
Sprawl and Respiratory Illness
Smog
Obesity and Sprawl
Dangerous Roads and Sprawl
Safe Routes to Schools and Transit

Reports & Articles:
Transportation, Sprawl, and Health (Environmental Defense)
Impacts of Sprawl on Human Health (Biodiversity Project PDF)
"The Transportation Bill Could Slim Us Down", by David Goldberg