Promoting physical activity in urban design

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to improve the health and well being of the population by proposing neighborhood design strategies that enables its residents to incorporate healthy activity into their daily lives. Also good quality, accessible green space and infrastructure can provide many potential health and well-being benefits. Many communities today are suffering from a growing dependence on automobiles as the main mode of transportation. The main cause of this dependence is through low-density, sprawling development patterns. The use of low-density development leads to a disconnection between pedestrians and neighborhood cores by creating neighborhoods that expand outside of residents’ walking zone comfort, which do not respond well to social, environmental, and economical factors. We need to make it easier and more convenient for people to enjoy the freedom of being able to travel shorter distances or less often by car. And we need to build more transit-friendly, walkable, and greener neighborhoods.