Access to Healthy Communities in Delaware’s Built Environment: Breaking the Barriers to Healthy Communities Forum Proceedings Summary May 8, 2012 event co-­‐sponsored by the Delaware Coalition for Healthy Eating and Active Living (DE HEAL) www.deheal.org and the Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination stateplanning.delaware.gov written by Rachel Linstead Goldsmith Institute for Public Administration School of Public Policy & Administration College of Arts & Sciences University of Delaware www.ipa.udel.edu serving the public good, shaping tomorrow’s leaders For forum presentation links and additional information, please visit DE HEAL forums webpage: www.ipa.udel.edu/healthpolicy/healthycommunities/built_environment/DEHEAL_forums.html Access to Healthy Communities in Delaware’s Built Environment: Breaking the Barriers to Healthy Communities Introduction Connie Holland, AICP, Director, Office of State Planning Coordination & Chair, Built Environment Committee stateplanning.delaware.gov Connie Holland delivered opening remarks, acknowledging the Delaware Coalition for Healthy Eating and Active Living (DE HEAL) and the Built Environment Committee, which planned the forum in partnership with the Delaware Office of State Planning Coordination. Holland emphasized the goals of the program—to identify barriers to creating healthy communities and to learn from three Delaware municipalities that have begun to re-­‐
design their built environments to break down these barriers. Holland placed Delaware’s built environment in a larger national context. Using Jane Brody’s 2012 New York Times article, “Communities Learn the Good Life Can be a Killer,” as an introduction, Holland highlighted the role of vehicle-­‐dependency in fostering obesity, poor health, social isolation, stress and depression. Examples of communities that have reversed these trends include: • Lakewood, Colo., where a vacant mall was converted into housing, business and play areas; • Syracuse, N.Y., where abandoned salt mines were turned into smart-­‐housing and business developments, and where a mobile farmer’s market and health-­‐focused grocery store were introduced; • Elgin, Ill., home to a public park created from a Superfund site and a bikeway connecting neighborhoods. Holland assured attendees that the forum’s Delaware case studies on Middletown, Dover, and Seaford would similarly prove that good development can occur. Quoting Brody’s article, Holland concluded her introduction with the statement that “health happens in neighborhoods, not doctor’s offices.” This theme was repeated throughout the forum, serving as a useful orienting approach when considering healthy development. Keynote Address Dr. Edward Goldenberg, Director, Preventative Care, Christiana Care Cardiology Consultants www.christianacare.org Dr. Goldenberg’s presentation focused on the importance of community and individual involvement in preventing disease. Though cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in Delaware, Dr. Goldenberg downplayed his role as a cardiologist in promoting good health. Instead, he supported the Surgeon General’s comments that “good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care but from stopping disease before it starts. Good health also comes from clean air and water, safe outdoor spaces for physical activity, safe worksites, healthy foods, violence-­‐free environments, and healthy homes.” Dr. Goldenberg discussed cardiologists’ historic focus on disease rather than health, and the role of research and goal-­‐setting in shifting this perspective over time. The Framingham Heart Study was a 20-­‐year study tracking the cardiac health of adults in Framingham, Mass. Much of what we know about heart disease resulted from this study, including the importance of a healthy diet and the increased risk caused by smoking and obesity. These findings promoted the importance of health behavior. In 2010 the American Heart Association developed its 2020 Impact Goals, in which “cardiovascular health” was defined for the first time, as a result of health behaviors and health factors such as blood pressure and glucose levels. This classification allowed the AHA to establish long-­‐term goals for population-­‐level disease prevention. In addition to individual health behaviors and clinical care, community and environment have a great effect on achieving optimal health. The United Health Foundation annually produces America’s Health Rankings, which includes measures of pollution, violence, illegal drugs, and level of education. Of 52 states and territories, Delaware rated low on several community and environmental health determinants in 2011, ranking #37 for high school graduation, #42 for air pollution, and #48 for violent crimes. Health outcomes are also quite poor, with Delaware ranking #37 for premature death and #41 for infant mortality. These indicators show that we have a lot to do in Delaware to support good health at the community level. Dr. Goldenberg concluded by reviewing several opportunities for promoting prevention, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Million Hearts Initiative, Christiana Care’s Know Your Numbers campaign, and menu-­‐labeling policies being passed both at state and local levels across the country. Case Study I: Town of Middletown The Hon. Kenneth Branner, Mayor, Town of Middletown www.middletownde.org Mayor Kenneth Branner presented Westown, a planned, mixed-­‐use development of 2,000 acres on the west side of Middletown. The development was designed with goals to connect neighborhoods through walking and biking trails, provide easy access to amenities, and support a vibrant and growing economy. Beginning in the 1990s, state and local leaders visited the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Md., as well as communities in Charlotte, N.C., and Charleston, S.C., before coming home and developing a master development plan for Westown. That master plan was built into the town’s comprehensive plan and was facilitated by a package of zoning-­‐
code upgrades. However Middletown did face a number of major hurdles in implementation, for which a variety of solutions and strategies were employed. 1. Building and paying for new roads: Recoupment agreements with developers have been the primary funding vehicles for the $25 million of costs. The Town acted as the broker so that if agreements were not kept, permits could be put on hold. So far, 50 percent of the $12.5 million committed has been collected. 2. Assuring successful commercial and residential development: Future residents were involved in planning. Due to its financial arrangements with developers, Middletown has been able to assure residents that they would not have to pay for future development costs. 3. Role of timing and the wider economy: Middletown was fortunate that the semiconductor market had failed before the town undertook major infrastructure investments to attract new plants. Concentrating on commercial development, such as projects with Amazon.com and Belk among many others, has helped the town manage the decrease in residential demand in recent years. Middletown has invested in green space and walkability, including a 100-­‐acre park, walking and biking trails, and multiple dog parks. Through its planning process, Middletown has been able to thrive economically and improve its built environment for good health. Mayor Branner emphasized that the town’s partnerships with the Office of State Planning Coordination and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) have been essential to the process. Case Study II: City of Dover Ann Marie Townsend, AICP, Planning Director, City of Dover Gregory Moore, P.E., Vice President, Becker Morgan Group www.cityofdover.com Ann Marie Townsend introduced Dover’s approach to its built environment, which is focused on walkability. She specified three components of a walkable community: 1) the network or infrastructure of the sidewalk itself, including features such as safe road crossings, 2) the environment through which residents will walk, and 3) the destinations to which people will walk. She noted that the Dover network has gaps, but sidewalk frontage is required as part of all development and the city’s concrete program allows for replacing deteriorating sidewalk each year. In terms of destination-­‐making, the City has been working to revitalize Dover’s downtown through the Downtown Dover Partnership. Gregory Moore is the President of the Board of the Downtown Dover Partnership, in addition to his role at the Becker Morgan Group. Working with the Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization, and involving business and community groups, the Partnership developed a master plan for Dover’s downtown. Some design principles and examples of their application through the plan are as follows. • Support multi-­‐modal transportation—The DART First State Transit Center in Dover was relocated near to the rail line in hopes that a building and train station will be constructed in the future; bus loop, shelters, parking and stormwater projects were funded in 2009. • Orient buildings to face the street—The new library on Loockerman Street will face the street, allowing the path along the front to lead people into the building. • Promote mixed-­‐use—Complexes with retail at street level and apartments on top help to create a vibrant and walkable downtown and now fill what was an empty lot, after the historic Baird hotel was torn down. A similar complex has been proposed for the former Acme site on Governor’s Avenue. • Base new development on the design of downtown Dover—Eden Hill Farm provides parking at its center, pocket parks, shopping options, an office complex and a walking path linking it all together. • Partner with anchoring institutions—In an effort to invite students into the downtown, Wesley College has increased the walkability of its campus by installing walking and biking paths. The paths also serve students from Booker T. Washington Elementary and Central Middle School, who can now travel more safely through the campus from their neighborhoods to school. • Place utilities and parking areas strategically—The goal is to prevent the downtown from being broken up by parking lots and utilities. Utilities can be sunk, as Dover is doing with some sections of North Street. One parking solution in the plan is to consolidate seven lots into one near the Schwartz Center, and then link them via walking paths to the green and the central part of downtown. • Reclaim the waterfront—A waterfront walk along the St. Jones River would create a destination for recreation and possibly boating and could be linked to the downtown sidewalk network. By following these and other elements of the master plan, Dover is becoming a healthier location and is building a better and more vibrant downtown. Case Study III: City of Seaford Dolores Slatcher, City Manager, City of Seaford www.seafordde.com Dolores Slatcher spoke about how Seaford has been working for a healthy community over the past four decades through the development of walking trails, recreational opportunities, and seven local parks, including: • Soroptimist Park—created through a partnership with Soroptimist International, has a walking trail with two pavilions, a playground, and handicap accessibility for picnic tables. The organization has provided over $100,000 in matching funds in the past five years, and also has volunteers who clean and garden annually. • Kiwanis Park—a Veteran’s Memorial with bricks lining the sidewalk, naming the fallen, and incentivizing people to walk along the path. The Kiwanis Club has donated funds and man-­‐hours to support the park. • The Sports Complex—housing a children’s playground, a football field built by volunteers, soccer fields maintained by a Latino group, and softball fields built using federal Land and Water Conservation Fund monies and city funds. A walking trail was also created with Land and Water Conservation and city funding, with signage donated by The Acorn Club. • Nutter Park—has well-­‐used basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic space. There is going to be a bio-­‐
retention area with irrigation, and the park will be reseeded as part of a stormwater project. • Williams Pond Park—home to the Nanitcoke Little League, which includes baseball and softball, and this year the park served 122 youth. The park is jointly maintained by the Little Leagues and the city. • Riverview Park—provides a picnic area where residents fish from the shoreline. There is a community boat ramp funded by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife and a canoe launch funded by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, facilitating kayaking on the Nanticoke River. An old fertilizer plant was restored for use by the community as well. Hooper’s Landing—recently acquired by the city. Sea Colony will run a youth program at the tennis courts, the pool is operated by the Seaford Community Swim Center, and the golf course is now public. • There are also ten public tennis courts and a track were built and are maintained in partnership with the Seaford School District, and are shared by the school and the community. Slatcher credited Seaford’s success in creating these opportunities for recreation and physical activity to Ron Breeding, the first recreation director for the City of Seaford, along with supporting council members, mayors, community groups and legislators, such as Senator Robert Venables and Representative Daniel Short, who have helped to obtain matching funds. Partnerships and participation have been central to these achievements. •
Case Study IV: Sussex Outdoors John Hollis, Sussex Manager of Community and Government Affairs, Nemours Health and Prevention Services The Hon. Daniel Short, Representative, 39th District sussexoutdoors.org John Hollis spoke about Sussex Outdoors, a campaign to create active, healthy lifestyles in Sussex County, Delaware. The program is designed to empower employers, youth development organizations, and communities around walkability, bikeability, and access to healthy foods. He noted that an investment of $10 per person per year to increase physical activity would save the country $16 billion annually in five years and reported that the National Foundation of Fitness, Sports and Nutrition had found that the more available near-­‐
by facilities and destinations are, the more people walk. Hollis told the audience to expect upcoming projects around the Stockley Center as well as in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bridgeville. Representative Daniel Short discussed Seaford’s economic challenges and the importance of investing in infrastructure to allow more development opportunities like those offered to Middletown. While the decision to buy Hooper’s Landing was a difficult one, plans to create a walking path around that facility will help to create the destination. Short introduced his vision to connect Hooper’s Landing with other area parks, Woodland Ferry, and Heritage Trail via a trail network in the future as well, through partnerships with the county, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and DelDOT. Case Study Wrap-­‐up Philip McGinnis, President, McGinnis Commercial Real Estate Company Based on his real estate background, Phillip McGinnis defines healthy communities as those with a well balanced mix of uses between residential, retail, office, industrial and agricultural purposes. Healthy communities, he said, are not just about an ecological footprint, but also involve an excitement that makes those communities attractive. Realtors’ associations at all levels offer ideas and suggestions through a variety of programs to assist neighborhoods and local governments in developing healthy communities. McGinnis encouraged the audience to learn more about the National Association of Realtors’ Smart Growth Program and its publication called On Common Ground to further explore these ideas on the built community. McGinnis noted the importance of intergovernmental coordination, because synergy in land use leads to increasing prices, new construction, and redevelopment. These factors then reduce crime and its associated costs. McGinnis asserted that the case study successes were made possible by intergovernmental coordination, and the salience of economic feasibility was evident in their presentations. He indicated that ridged prescriptions for environmental protection can be unnecessarily costly, while standards for results could be set instead, resulting in innovative solutions. Though he has been encouraged by zoning changes to incorporate transit-­‐oriented design, McGinnis noted that more work needs to be done to consider planning in a town-­‐ and city-­‐wide context. McGinnis closed with an optimistic forecast of the future, based on the progress made in overcoming barriers so far through better coordination among developers and regulators. How the State Supports Healthy Communities Clean, Safe and Green Communities The Hon. Collin O’Mara, Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control www.dnrec.delaware.gov Collin O’Mara drew upon what leaders often call the key to competition in the 21st century—“clean, safe, and green” communities where young talent, families, and businesses want to be located. While “clean” involves a general aesthetic, and “safe” has to do with public safety, O’Mara believes that the “green” terminology has been unnecessarily politicized and then spoke about six aspects of “green” communities on which everyone can agree: 1. Clean air to breathe—Delaware has higher than average rates of respiratory illness and childhood asthma. Recent efforts to improve the air include closing the dirtiest coal plants in Indian River and requiring $350 million of controls on the remaining unit, as well as switching from coal to gas in Edgemoor and at the NRG station in Kent County. 2. Clean water that is drinkable, swimmable, fishable—From a quality-­‐of-­‐life point of view, the level of nutrient impairment to our water has a major impact. Most water pollution now is non-­‐point source pollution, which is difficult to address. 3. Managing water volume to prevent flooding—DNREC is working on stormwater regulations that will no longer require massive retention ponds to hold water after major events. Instead, developers will be required to manage stormwater for their site alone. By setting the outcomes and giving developers more flexibility on how to meet them, two goals are achieved—managing the rainwater itself and using environmental systems to filter the water at the same time—thus improving water quality. Flooding may be natural, but disasters are man-­‐made, and this policy will protect residents’ property and health. 4. Assuring soil quality—DNREC wants to support more redevelopment of contaminated sites, brownfield clean-­‐ups, and infill development to let the green spaces stay green and build and invest in our existing municipalities. 5. Quality outdoor spaces for recreation and transportation—In partnership with DelDOT and local governments, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is working to build out the trail network, not just for recreational hiking, biking, and jogging, but as a viable transportation network. The “No Child Left Inside” campaign, a combined effort with the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, aligns public health, education, and environmental goals to get young people outside in nature. 6. Protecting the natural habitat—Delaware has great outdoor spaces and diverse ecosystems. DNREC is working to identify the small amenities needed to get people out to enjoy the outdoors so they will value and protect those wildlife habitats for the future. Secretary O’Mara reported that Governor Markell’s administration is starting with goals and working backward, putting public health and the quality of the environment at the center of decision-­‐making. He has found that by focusing on “clean, safe and green” as a framework, great progress can be made in a short timeframe. What We Are Doing Now to Build Healthy Communities The Hon. Shailen Bhatt, Secretary, Department of Transportation www.deldot.gov Throughout this presentation, Secretary Shailen Bhatt explained the ways in which collaboration among governmental departments can facilitate the development of healthy communities. Visionary leadership, he emphasized, is instrumental in creating the necessary environment for this collaboration to occur. In addition to crediting Governor Markell for interdepartmental progress in Delaware, Secretary Bhatt recounted experiencing similar cooperation under the Obama Administration through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, which he worked on at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The Partnership brought together the USDOT with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to coordinate federal programs to provide and promote housing, transportation, and energy efficiency. Prior to this collaboration, housing projects might be funded without regard to the public-­‐transit options in the area, or plans might be discarded because the best building site was a brownfield, against which the EPA had regulations. It is because changing workflow is so difficult that strong leadership is required. One example of this model in Delaware presented by Secretary Bhatt is the First State Pathways and Trails Program, for which the Governor has proposed allocation of $13 million in the budget this year to build out the state network. This program has been funded in the past, and current projects include one at Cape Henlopen High School where developers have agreed to connect a path so students can bike to school. This project highlights the nature of transportation supported through the program, which, with high gas prices and poor economic conditions, includes not only environmental motivations to reduce greenhouse gases and health incentives to provide opportunities for physical activity, but incentivizes a less expensive way for people to travel between work, home and school. Delaware is the perfect state to model how effective trail networks can be in addressing a multiplicity of goals due to its geography and compact size. Another program that demonstrates the value of interconnection between departments is Safe Routes to Schools, funded through a federal surface-­‐transportation bill. This is a program that in Delaware funds $1 million a year for infrastructure and programs designed to encourage youth to walk or bike to school. The program is making a difference in communities such as Smyrna and Newark. One recent example is the Bike Rodeo held at South Dover Elementary to teach the students how to be safe on their bikes. Secretary Bhatt concluded that these examples show how federal and state dollars are being used to reduce barriers to healthy communities, and expressed his confidence that the legacy of the Markell administration would be a Delaware with a built environment that is safer and more accessible for people who want to use active transportation. Ensuring Affordable Housing in Delaware’s Healthy Communities Karen Horton, AICP, Principal Planner, Delaware State Housing Authority www.destatehousing.com Karen Horton presented an overview of the Delaware State Housing Authority’s (DHSA) three main programs to ensure affordable housing in healthy communities. Healthy communities provide access to jobs, services, markets, and employment opportunities. These three programs are as follows: 1. Low-­‐Income-­‐Housing Tax-­‐Credit Program—This program provides incentives to private developers to build or rehab affordable rental units. The program is made more conducive to healthy communities through tax-­‐credit allocation. Selection criteria are specified in what is called a Qualified Allocation Plan, or a QAP. DSHA has updated its QAP for healthy communities with the following provisions:  A threshold requirement for the level of infrastructure in proposed development locations.  Points are given for proposals that make 20 percent of units ADA-­‐accessible (only 5% is required).  Infill proposals are given points for close proximity to services and amenities.  Access to transit has been added as a criterion; an executed Memorandum of Understanding through the Delaware Transit Corporation that lists improvements and maintenance plans will get additional points.  Points are given for designs that match the surrounding community, provide interconnectivity via sidewalks or trails, and proximity to community centers, community gardens, or bike racks. 2. Public Housing Sites—DHSA manages over 500 units in 10 sites in Kent and Sussex Counties, and all family sites have playgrounds and basketball courts. As funds permit, sites are being upgraded to provide more activities for youth. Mifflin Meadows, just south of Camden, was recently renovated. A half-­‐court was converted into a full-­‐court, and a large playground was added. Also at the sites, a 4H program is operated through a UD partnership, which provides after-­‐school care to over 125 youths, 20-­‐
25 per site. Healthy snacks are provided, as are physical activities outside, and inside with Wii-­‐Fit. 3. Live Near Your Work Program—This is a joint partnership among the state, local jurisdictions, and employers to provide down-­‐payment and resettlement assistance to workers that want to live near their work. Twenty employers are participating, in three jurisdictions, helping about 10 families a year. Horton recommended that municipalities making investments in services and amenities in designated areas plan for affordability upfront. Targeted areas become highly desirable and thus prone to price appreciation, so planning in advance assures equity and access to the positive outcomes that result from those amenities. Integrating Services to Promote Healthy Communities for the Aging and Disabled The Hon. Rita Landgraf, Secretary, Department of Health and Social Services dhss.delaware.gov/dhss Secretary Rita Landgraf began her remarks by identifying some of the challenges facing Delaware in the areas of health and social services. These included the aging and migration patterns that will mean an older population in need of services, particularly in Sussex County, the current orientation of the healthcare system toward illness rather than wellness, and the complexity of providing transportation to all of society in car-­‐centric communities. Landgraf then spoke about opportunities made available through collaboration. To reorient the healthcare system, Secretary Landgraf suggested a more proactive stance. She noted that what older adults want is to age in their communities with dignity and respect. Landgraf told the story of Molly, a 98-­‐year old RSVP volunteer who had recently lost her license and now needs assistance to stay involved in the community. Inclusive communities for all can only be achieved deliberately in a society that is dependent on vehicles for interaction with others. Landgraf also updated the audience on reforms for individuals with mental illnesses. Delaware historically has institutionalized people more than other states, and the U.S. Department of Justice has required reforms for community integration that are now underway. Secretary Landgraf echoed comments applauding the integration of the cabinet through Governor Markell’s early instruction. She described a current cross-­‐cabinet effort to employ planning to reduce violence in Wilmington, since safety is an important factor in a healthy community. In the spirit of collaboration, Landgraf requested feedback for how Sussex County might utilize the campus of the Stockley Center in Georgetown to support healthy opportunities. One possibility would be to run the trail that will be built from Lewes to Georgetown through the campus, allowing high school students to use it to get to school. Another example of integration can been found in DHSS’s partnership with the Department of Agriculture to put a garden on the campus of the Delaware Psychiatric Center and teach residents about fresh produce. This provides people who have mental illnesses with information about healthy eating before they return to their communities. Secretary Landgraf noted that these are only some of the opportunities that will help us collectively build a better Delaware with healthy, inclusive communities. Clean, Green, and Healthy Schools Despina Wilson, Education Associate, Department of Education www.doe.k12.de.us Despina Wilson presented two initiatives by the Department of Education (DOE) to support healthy communities through the built environment—through the construction and design of school buildings and environmental programs, both of which involve multiple state departments. Because a well-­‐located, thoughtfully designed, soundly built, and efficiently operated school enhances the educational process, the Department has implemented a variety of programs and policies to increase cost and energy efficiency. These include a program to upgrade light bulbs, a construction formula to address health and safety issues, the re-­‐
organization of school feeder patterns based on bus routes to reduce the number of buses needed for each school, and assurances for accessibility for people with disabilities. Wilson described initiatives for green education, such as the new Green Ribbon Schools program from the federal DOE, for which one school from Delaware applied this year. This includes an assessment of environmental impact, energy efficiency, the health of the environment, and environmental literacy. The Brandywine School District has been a LEED pilot. Some schools have implemented composting programs in their cafeterias, and others have now established vegetable gardens, with the vegetables later prepared in school meals. These examples demonstrate the ways in which the DOE supports the goal of better education and better health for children and their communities. Connecting Communities to Healthy Foods Faith Kuehn, Plant Industries Administrator, Department of Agriculture dda.delaware.gov Faith Kuehn presented the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s (DDA) efforts to connect Delaware consumers to Delaware farmers, overstepping barriers in the built environment. Kuehn reported that the Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention recently found that most residents of Delaware eat fewer than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, even though Delaware farmers produce $32 million dollars a year of fresh market produce and $26 million in processed vegetables. Kuehn noted that though the abundance is there, it is not reflected in Delawareans’ diet. The Council’s report advised DDA to reconnect people with the food production systems through farmers’ markets, community gardens, and school gardens. Kuehn reported that the number of farmers markets would nearly double in Delaware this year, to 27 total. Markets are points of contact between the public and the farmers producing their food. Some markets will also be offering the WIC and senior-­‐voucher programs for the first time. Farmers’ markets are listed on the web and can be found through a mobile phone application called Delaware Fresh. In order to support community gardens, DDA participates in the Urban Farm Coalition. School programs supported by the DDA include Farm to School programs, which connect locally grown produce with the school lunch and breakfast programs, a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to increase volume local produce in Delaware public schools and school programs, and the Envelop Your School in Agriculture program designed to teach healthy eating habits. The state-­‐wide Eat Local program for restaurants and schools aims to provide 130 restaurants and 238 public schools with easy access to purchasing from more than 300 Delaware processing growers. This will help farmers increase their shares at local markets and will reduce the national average of 1,500 “food miles” from farm to plate, so it is also a beneficial program for the environment. Other avenues for connecting communities to healthy foods in the built environment are through trails and therapeutic horticulture. The Agritourism Association recently launched the Farm Adventure Trail and Harvest Trail to better connect Delawareans with local food production. Providing gardens for Delawareans with physical and mental disabilities, as is done at the Delaware Psychiatric Center and the Biggs Building, breaks an access barrier to the cognitive benefits of gardening, which include reduced stress and increased calm and relaxation. A vocational program is also available at the Biggs Center, so these skills can support economic health as well. Kuehn finished her talk with the words of Secretary Kee, who underscored that partnerships are crucial in these times when needs are great and resources are limited. Kuehn assured the audience that DDA intends to be an active partner. Breaking the Barriers to Healthy Communities Rachael Mears, Capital Resource Director, Delaware Economic Development Office dedo.delaware.gov Rachael Mears opened her talk by describing the natural fit between overall well-­‐being and economic development. She explained how the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) promotes economic activity with healthy eating and active living through collaboration. The Delaware Rural Irrigation Program is a partnership between DEDO and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DOA); it is a revolving no-­‐interest loan fund in which proceeds go to irrigation systems to increase local farmers’ profits and produce more healthy produce for the food pipeline. The Downtown Delaware Main Street program and its AmeriCorps VISTA members helped to start a farmers’ market in Smyrna through a partnership with the USDA, the Smyrna Downtown Renaissance Association and the town of Smyrna, and also helped to bring electronic benefit transfer accessibility to the Village Fresh market though Greater Brandywine Village and the DOA. Mears discussed the Grow Local, Eat Local, Stay Local program, which addresses production, distribution, and marketing of local agricultural products through healthy regional food systems. In addition, she noted that DEDO participates on the Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention’s Policy and Program team, to determine how viable economic activity can increase access to healthy foods and local consumption while revitalizing downtowns. Mears expressed her beliefs that health-­‐related initiatives are economically viable activities and that bringing stakeholders together to break the barriers is key to progress. Planning for Complete Communities in Delaware Marcia Scott, Associate Policy Scientist, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware www.ipa.udel.edu In introducing this presentation, Connie Holland noted the importance of concrete tools for implementation of the ideas presented throughout the forum. She announced that a framework to plan for Complete Communities in Delaware would be forthcoming from the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware. Marcia Scott highlighted current tools from IPA, supported by the Delaware Division of Public Health and DelDOT, and through work with the DE HEAL’s Built Environment Committee and Policy Group. The online Toolkit for a Healthy Delaware helps local governments and interested advocates understand the process of and provides them with resources for developing healthy communities, such as a comprehensive-­‐planning tool, a walkability-­‐assessment tool, a health-­‐impact-­‐assessment tool, and maps of Delaware’s food deserts. A publication on Complete Streets helps Delaware local governments develop land-­‐use plans, design standards, and maintenance practices to provide more balanced and multimodal transportation systems in line with the state’s plan. Some key lessons from IPA’s research for developing healthy communities are: 1. Auto-­‐centric development is costly—Sprawling land-­‐use patterns have contributed to obesity rates and soaring costs in transportation and health care while straining our transportation systems. 2. Bike trails are cost effective—For every $1 in bike trails, there is an associated $3 in medical savings. 3. Accessible transportation is needed—One third of Americans do not drive, leading to transportation barriers for the very old and very young. Nearly half of all trips are taken by car; converting those to walking or biking can reduce fuel costs and lower auto emissions as well. 4. Planning is fundamental—Local comprehensive plans can serve as the basis for community health–
improvement planning, economic revitalization, and design components like Complete Streets. 5. Demographic changes are driving housing preferences—Millennials and Gen Y-­‐ers are looking for walkable communities, and baby boomers want compact communities that provide social interaction. 6. Sense of place matters—People want to be in social places with opportunities to celebrate the heritage and culture of their community. 7. Healthy communities drive economic prosperity—Giving people opportunities to engage meaningfully with their downtowns will enhance and support local shopping and purchasing. Going forward, IPA will continue working with DelDOT to create a planning framework for Complete Communities; this concept brings together land-­‐use planning, transportation considerations, and universal design, rather than addressing them individually. The towns of Elsmere and Milford are piloting the planning process, which currently involves engaging community stakeholders, facilitating discussions, and administering a visual preference survey. The end goal is to deliver a state plan with recommendations, along with town-­‐specific considerations on how local governments can build toward the framework. Efforts like these will help local communities to partner collaboratively in pursuit of healthier communities, similarly to the way the state cabinet is working together at the state level. Forum Wrap-­‐up Jonathan Kirch, Director, American Heart Association & Vice Chair, Built Environment Committee Connie Holland, AICP, Director, Office of State Planning Coordination & Chair, Built Environment Committee stateplanning.delaware.gov Jonathan Kirch ended the forum by thanking the speakers and offering a few follow-­‐ups to the day. He suggested that attendees watch the HBO documentary series The Weight of the Nation, encourage legislators to support of the Prevention and Public Health Trust Fund created by the Affordable Care Act, and talk with their networks about the issues covered through the day. Connie Holland thanked the sponsors and acknowledged that a portion of the support for this event through the Office of State Planning Coordination was provided by the Delaware Division of Public Health with funding from the Delaware Health Fund. backpage_Layout 1 2/6/12 12:02 PM Page 1
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