General Plan Update
Cities across California are using their general plan update process to respond to the obesity epidemic. Some cities are including a separate health element in their general plan; others are adding health goals and policies in various general plan elements. Approximately 30 cities have added health goals and policies to their general plans.
Cities with Separate Health Elements
Photo by Community Wellness and Prevention Program, Contra Costa Health Services Anderson's Health and Safety Element (2007) includes a public health section that addresses physical activity via mixed-use, transit oriented and infill development, and access to parks and recreational trails.
Chino will include a "Healthy Chino" element in its general plan update with topics including physical activity, nutrition, walkability, public safety, and civic participation.
The City of Richmond has drafted a Community Health and Wellness Element that includes a walkability standard for healthy food, parks and open space. |
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Cities with Integrated Health Language
Photo by RichReidPhotography.com
Azusa's General Plan (2004) contains a number of integrated, well-illustrated elements, including a chapter on the built environment that prioritizes walkability, street connectivity, and mixed use.
Paso Robles' General Plan (2003) includes detailed land use and circulation elements that prioritize walkability, mixed use, and development along a transportation corridor.
Chula Vista's Land use and Transportation Element (2005) includes access to healthy foods, walkability, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and a jobs-housing balance.Watsonville's General Plan (2006) contains new health goals in several elements. The land use element includes a goal to help convenience stores carry fresh produce. The transportation and circulation element includes the goal of providing bus access to grocery stores. The plan also includes goals to work with local organizations to support nutrition and exercise-related activities, the farmers’ market, and community gardens in a section titled “A Diverse Population. |
More City Examples: Click Here
Model General Plan Policy
Planning for Healthy Places has developed model policies. See their toolkit,
How to Create and Implement Healthy General Plans.
