Solutions to Health Problems Caused By Sprawl

The most important step to finding solutions to a problem is finding the cause of the problem. Although issues of health are very complex, we know that one cause of a variety of individual, ecological, and societal health problems is the pattern of sprawling development. We therefore need a different pattern of development for our communities, a smarter design; smart smart growth. Smart Growth will promote healthy communities and environments in several ways including decreasing air pollution, increasing physical activity, and increase community health.

Decreasing Air Pollution
Because smart growth promotes a decrease in vehicular traffic, and an increase in mass transit and pedestrian and bike friendly neighborhoods, it can lead to improved air quality. When fewer vehicles are on the road (either because people are walking, biking, or using public transportation), not only do we decrease the amount of pollution that is put into the air from vehicles, but we also decrease the amount of congestion on the roads, which can speed up traffic flow and increase fuel efficiency. With less air pollution, we both humans and the environment benefit.

Increasing Physical Activity
Smart growth means access to more walkable, bikable, pedestrian friendly neighborhoods. Once we have such infrastructure, people won't have to put themselves in danger if the want to walk or bike, and they won't have to drive everywhere. This will allow people to incorporate moderate physical activity into their daily routines, which can lead to dramatic improvements in physical and mental health.

Increase Community Health
Smart Growth calls for pedestrian friendly, walkable, mixed use communities. People in such communities will interact with their neighbors on a daily basis when working, playing, and running errands, instead of isolating themselves in their cars on the road. In addition, smart growth promotes urban revitalization which increases the safety and economic well being of communities for both business owners and residents. The smart growth vision includes a bustling down town with unique character in which people are connected to each other and their surroundings. This improves community health for all.

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