Built Environment
Definition
Do you have walking trail in
your community? Parks? Sidewalks? Bicycle paths? If so, do you walk, run,
ride bikes on them? These are aspects of what is an “activity-friendly
environment”
for recreational physical activity. People in activity-friendly
environments are more likely to be physical active. These characteristics
are: 1. Better access to facilities 2. Pleasant surroundings 3. Safe places
and 4. Walkable neighborhoods (www.activelivingresearch.org)
.
According to the CDC, the
built environment includes all of the physical parts of where we live and
work (e.g., homes, buildings, streets, open spaces, and infrastructure). The
built environment influences a person’s level of physical activity. For
example, inaccessible or nonexistent sidewalks and bicycle or walking paths
contribute to sedentary habits. These habits lead to poor health outcomes
such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Today, approximately two thirds of Americans are overweight.
Programs & Activities
Through innovative tools and
programs the Built Environment projects work to protect
the health of all people in their communities.
Many health problems can be prevented or alleviated through routine physical
activity. There is a growing consensus that the environment in which we
live helps determine how physically active we are on a daily basis.
Community Design
Built Environment
projects focus on community design projects; Enhances the
capacity of communities to be involved in decision making
processes and extend their role in issues pertinent to their
community. Community members will be invited and encouraged to participate in all
phases of the projects. Working with community members to facilitate the
project will help ensure that the planning, implementation, and evaluation
of the program utilizes culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches
for the target population.
