Why This Matters
How the physical environment affects physical activity and how changes in the environment can promote active living are issues that have captured public attention. There are many links between health and the built environment, from air quality to food access.
In the Twin Cities all municipalities update their plans on a 10 year cycle, mandated by the Metropolitan Council, with a deadline in 2008. Furthermore, the $286.4 billion transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, has provided over $3 billion exclusively to construct infrastructure for active living and active transportation. Of this $25 million has been earmarked for improvements in the Twin Cities. These events created a vital window of opportunity to integrate healthy living principles into municipal plans and formed the impetus for Design for Health.
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