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Differing design viewpoints
18 Jun, 2009 LDB SolutionsAccording to the American Academy of Pediatrics, an estimated 32 percent of American children are overweight, and physical inactivity contributes to this high prevalence of overweight. A recent statement from the association titled The "Policy for the Built Environment to Fight Childhood Obesity" highlights how the built environment of a community affects opportunities for physical activity.
According to the association:
- Neighborhoods and communities can provide opportunities for recreational physical activity with parks and open spaces, and policies must support this capacity.
- Children can engage in physical activity as a part of their daily lives, such as on their travel to school. Factors such as school location have played a significant role in the decreased rates of walking to school, and changes in policy may help to increase the number of children who are able to walk to school.
- Environment modification that addresses risks associated with automobile traffic is likely to be conducive to more walking and biking among children.
- Actions that reduce parental perception and fear of crime may promote outdoor physical activity.
- Policies that promote more active lifestyles among children and adolescents will enable them to achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
“The American Society of Landscape Architects applauds the addition of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to the growing chorus of advocates recognizing the connections between human health and the design of our built world," said Nancy Somerville, executive vice president and CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). "Outdoor spaces that encourage physical activity, increase human interaction and offer beautiful, secure environments increase our physical and mental health."
However, a recent proposal by House Minority Leader John Boehner (OH) and Eric Cantor (VA) would eliminate or scale back many critical federal programs that support the built environmental benefits outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
According to ASLA, the proposal aims to cut $375 billion over the next five years by eliminating certain federal programs that provide critical services to our nation and are important to landscape architects. Numerous sections of the proposal would negatively impact the programs that ASLA advocates for on behalf of the profession. Specifically, the proposal recommends:
- Eliminating transportation enhancements
- Preventing states and local governments from using Land and Water Conservation funds
- Terminating the Safe Routes to Schools Program
- Terminating federal funding for non-motorized transportation projects, including pedestrian and bike paths.
- Suspending federal land purchases
Contact your representatives in the House and Senate to voice your opinions on these policies.
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