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This Health Impact Assessment (HIA) process description is a tool that can be used by other communities to assess the elements of community design discussed in this presentation. This HIA focused on pedestrian issues, among other topics. Participants of the HIA workshop identified pedestrian network connectivity, shade trees along sidewalks and paths, and buffers between cars and pedestrians as important elements to encouraging people to walk, thereby increasing levels of physical activity.
Participants also recognized that the provision of pedestrian facilities should reflect the demand (e.g. wider sidewalks where demand is high, narrower sidewalks where demand is lower). They also expressed concern regarding locating sidewalks on only one side of the street, especially where street crossing is difficult. They saw this as a potential safety issue and a serious disincentive to walking for travel and recreation. The HIA workshop also targeted specific groups as being particularly vulnerable to the existing pedestrian environment.
