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Healthy by Design Research/Tools
The DC Office of Planning (OP) seeks to promote an urban form and provide amenities that offer residents the opportunity for physical activity and healthy food choices. A key piece of this effort is to understand the barriers and opportunities in the District to meeting these goals. OP is conducting research and developing tools to further our knowledge of healthy by design.
Research topics of interest include:
- Wellness Opportunity Zones: These are locations where incentives could be provided for innovative connections between public and private policies, programs and practices affecting health and well-being. These incentives are typically provided in communities where there are poor health outcomes or a lack of available resources that contribute to healthy eating and active living.
- Healthy by Design Index: This is a tool that provides information about District residents’ opportunities for active living and healthy eating at the neighborhood level in terms of walkability of the environment (i.e. number of destinations are within walking distance, availability of safe walking environments); access to routine and leisure-time physical activity (i.e. distance to transit, schools, community centers, parks); and access to healthy foods and other healthy community amenities (i.e. distance to Grocery stores, farmer’s markets).
OP has been engaged in spatial analysis and land use planning research activities and creation of accessible tools in support of the Healthy by Design initiative. The results of some of that research can be found at the links below:
Using GIS to Better Our Understanding of Grocery Store Accessibility*
Healthy by Design: The Origins and Future of City Living*
DC Food Finder
OP would like to partner with District agencies, non-profits, foundations and private organizations in order to enhance our toolbox and research activities. If you would like to partner with us, please contact: Anita Hairston at (202) 442-7600 or anita.hairston@dc.gov.
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