Urban design and land use policies and practices that support physical activity in small geographic areas (generally a few blocks) are recommended based on sufficient evidence of their effectiveness in increasing physical activity. Street-scale urban design and land use policies involve the efforts of urban planners, architects, engineers, developers, and public health professionals to change the physical environment of small geographic areas, generally limited to a few blocks, in ways that support physical activity. Policy instruments employed include: building codes, roadway design standards, and environmental changes. Design components include: improving street lighting, developing infrastructure projects to increase safety of street crossing, using traffic calming approaches (e.g., speed humps, traffic circles), and enhancing street landscaping.

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Effect Behavioral Change, Reduce Risk or Incidence of Disease or Condition, Improve Quality of Life, Government & Policymakers, Academics, Research & Development, Business & Private Sector, Community- & Faith-Based Organizations, Law Enforcement, Environmental & Policy, Primary Prevention, Community Intervention, Families & Households

Heath GW, Brownson RC, Kruger J, Miles R, Powell KE, Ramsey LT, Task Force on Community Preventive Services. The effectiveness of urban design and land use and transport policies and practices to increase physical activity: a systematic review. J Phys Act Health [Internet]. 2006 Feb [cited 2013 Mar 21]; 3(Suppl 1):S55-76. Available from http://www.aapca3.org/resources/archival/060306/jpah.pdf