Lecture Assignment

In our presentation, The 3 Domains Of Urban Planning, we discussed the benefits of utilizing 1) physical activity, 2) community interaction, and 3) healthy eating. We found that it strengthens our cities through increased human physical and mental health.

Through the implementation of mixed-use buildings, developing direct street networks, and a grid-based system, urban planners can promote physical activity. Developing a more pedestrian-centric area promotes walking and cycling which increases human health through physical activity. This also creates a place for more community interaction which also supports physical and mental health because positive interaction occurs on the streets and in public spaces that are safe and accessible to all members of the community. The interactions that humans have with the natural environment in green spaces are important because it reduces feelings of stress and loneliness and increases feelings of relaxation. Green spaces like community gardens are also vital to the future of our cities because it allows humans to interact and learn from each other while growing their own food. This also increases food accessibility in a built environment while reducing food deserts. Urban areas having equitable access to healthy nutritional foods is the last domain of urban planning. Due to zoning and land use regulations like redlining, many built environments are surrounded by food deserts within low-income areas. To fix the problem of food deserts, urban planners and city governments have to create accessible grocery stores, increase local food production, change zoning laws around schools, create food assistance programs and encourage healthy dietary habits by providing education on nutrition.

By implementing the 3 domains of urban planning, urban planners and municipal governments could further human health in our cities for all residents using both the built environment and policy making.