The Economic Promise of Healthy Community Design

There is a disconnect between people and access to multimodal accommodations, goods, services, and resources that promote health and well-being. Although 55% of Americans report they would prefer to walk and bike more, the predominant mode of travel in the US is driving. A third of the trips in US metropolitan areas are less than a mile, but 65% of these short trips are taken by car—the reason most often given for not choosing to walk or bike is the fear of injury. Walking and biking account for 14% of traffic fatalities, yet receive only 1.6% of federal transportation funding. This forces people to choose sitting in a car over walking or biking.

This reliance on driving has a profound impact on health. Two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, raising their risks for heart disease, stroke, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Increasing physical activity is a crucial way to reduce these risks, and the medical leadership of the US endorses reducing these risks by enhancing our built environment.

Transportation leaders have long embraced their mission of moving people and goods efficiently and safely—but transportation plans, construction, and funding also profoundly affect health.

Research shows a connection between the built environment and community health. Communities designed in a way that support physical activity—a network of complete streets with wide sidewalks, bike lanes, street trees and plantings, access to transit, active recreation, and access to healthy food choices—encourage and support residents to make healthy choices and live healthy lives.

Transportation significantly influences physical activity and well-being, safety, and the ability of community members to access destinations that are essential to a healthy lifestyle. Expanding access to a variety of transportation options and integrating health-enhancing choices in the planning and development process has the potential to save lives by preventing chronic diseases, reduce and prevent motor-vehicle-related injury and deaths, and improve environmental health, while stimulating economic development and providing access for all people. HCD also enhances community cohesion and improves the resiliency of communities as they face future risks associated with climate change and other threats.

Today, the system for transportation planning and design is focused on moving people and goods efficiently. How can we demonstrate the value added by incorporating HCD principles to ensure our investments have a profound impact on the health and resiliency of our communities?

To address the HCD Challenge, VHB is sponsoring this Healthy Community Design Symposium to examine how we can incorporate and demonstrate the economic value for applying HCD Principles to the planning and design process in metropolitan Washington, DC.

What are my transportation/parking options to getting to the event?

Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is located in one of DC's most accessible neighborhoods. The Metrorail lines closest to campus include Galley Place/Chinatown (Red, Green, and Yellow lines); Mt. Vernon Square/7th St. Convention Center (Green and Yellow lines); Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines); and Union Station (Red Line). For bus accommodations, the Metrobus and DC Circulator Bus are available. The SCS campus can be easily accessed by foot or bike. The closest Capital Bikeshare station can be found at 5th and Massachusetts, and secure bike racks are located nearby.

Parking garages are available nearby.

• PMI Parking: 600 Massachusetts Avenue NW
• Laz Parking: 901 7th Street NW
• MarcParc: 500 New York Avenue NW
• TechWorld Parking: 801 I Street NW

Click here for more information on SCS's campus map and directions.

May I bring a guest?

This event is an invite-only and seats are limited. If you have a special request, please contact the event organizer.

Do I have to bring a printed ticket?

No printed tickets are necessary. Please be sure to check in at the front door.

Who can I contact with any questions?

Please contact Ellie Larson ([email protected]) or Jen McGovern ([email protected]).