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[Health is] "...a state of complete physical, mental, and social being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - World Health Organization
When asked to describe the significant factors that affect their health, most people would list their family medical history, diet, or level of fitness. However, other factors can affect health as well. Some of these factors include access to the natural environment, living conditions, and the manmade community around them - otherwise known as the "built environment."
The way a community is designed or "built," can affect access to physical exercise, and increase pollution, crime, stress, and traffic accidents resulting in high obesity rates, increase unintentional injury rates, stress related mental and physical illness, increased respiratory infections and distress, and shortened years of life. As illness increases in a population, poor health can ultimately begin to affect the community economy by increasing the cost of health care and reducing productivity among workers (Marya Morris, AICP, American Planning Association, Aug. 2004).
Muskegon Outdoor Air Quality Information
Michigan and Muskegon Water Quality
Michigan and Muskegon Traffic Crash Facts
What is Muskegon doing to promote healthy community design?
Muskegon Area-wide Plan (MAP)
A unique partnership facilitated by the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission of local governments, citizens, business leaders, and policy-makers working together to create a vision and strategy to guide future growth and development in Muskegon County. The MAP provides a forum for consensus on a common vision and the policies necessary to reach that vision.
West Michigan Strategic Alliance
The West Michigan Strategic Alliance is a diverse group of residents and business, government, and institutional leaders who are working together to be a catalyst for regional collaboration in economics, transportation, tourism, and community growth.
Muskegon Area First
Muskegon Area First is a countywide economic development corporation focused on business growth and the creation of high-quality employment opportunities in Muskegon County. Some of the organization’s major initiatives include the rebuilding of the downtown area of Muskegon; rejuvenation and redesign of landmark buildings to provide housing and space for small business; and the building of the community center in Norton Shores.
Imagine Muskegon! (Part 1 and Part 2)
The Imagine Muskegon! project was originally initiated by the City of Muskegon’s Webster/Muskegon Turn-Back Committee and the desire to update the City’s master plan. Guided by the mission “to gather and reflect significant community consensus for a Muskegon downtown conceptual plan that sparks the imagination of citizens and the redevelopment of the downtown,” the Imagine Muskegon! process involved a wide variety of community members in the development of a vision for Muskegon. The process culminated in the creation of a booklet that individuals, governments, and developers can use when questions arise about the direction the community wishes downtown development to go.
Muskegon Walkability Audit
In August of 2006, Dan Burden, a nationally recognized authority on bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs, street corridor and intersection design, traffic flow and calming, and other design and planning elements that affect roadway environments visited Muskegon for a “Walkability Audit.” His observations, along with examples of healthy community design were included in a presentation for attendees after the tour.
What you can do to promote healthy community design?
Project for Public Spaces
Center for Disease Control Community Guide
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy Community Design Guide
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Communities Helping Children Be Healthy Guide
Walkable Communities
Other Resources
Michigan Health Tools
NACCHO Community Design/Land Use Planning
Center for Disease Control Designing and Building Healthy Places
Active Living Research
Safe Kids
Safe Routes to School
Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau Trail Guide
PDF Documents
History of Public Health and Community Design
Land Use Affects Public Health
Land Use and Transportation Systems Impact Public Health
Economic Benefits of Walkable Communities
Lets Talk Business
Healthy People 2010 – Goal 8 and 22
Traffic Safety and Community Design
Recreating Communities to Support Active Living
Active Living Approaches by Local Government
Healthy Eating Ideas for Communities
Road Diets – Fixing the Big Roads
Does the Built Environment Influence Physical Activity
Creating a Healthy Environment: The Impact of Built Environment on Public Health
Public Health Terms for Planners and Planning Terms for Public Health Professionals
The West Michigan Common Framework
Assessment Tools
Walkability Checklist
Neighborhood Walkability Checklist
Nutrition and Physical Activity Tools and Calculators
Presentations
Economic Cost of Physical Inactivity
Promoting Active Communities
Planning for Safe and Healthy Communities
For more information, please call (231) 724-1293.
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