Obesity and urbanity

I have never been able to track down a photo, but the Emmaus Main Street program in Pennsylvania ran a campaign to promote their commercial district using the theme "remember sidewalks", to promote that they have a walkable commercial district.

While I liked the idea, I was still somewhat critical because people who grew up in the suburbs for the most part don't have any experiences with sidewalk-based commercial districts, so they aren't likely to have many positive memories of such. And their urban experiences with sidewalks may not have been positive.

So, I think you have to get down to the more ur point, about independent stores, and walkability.

But walkability becomes a bi-modal issue between people who are quite mobile and people who have mobility difficulties.

The Los Angeles Times reports, in "Obesity trend means more people are using canes and walkers" that urban design and walkability is a more complex issue than we realize.

Obese people are not likely to be much interested in an urban design agenda that promotes walkability (and bikeability and transit-access).

All the more reason to consider walkability and urban design from the perspective of public health and "active living."

Resource

- Active Living by Design> research and planning center at the University of North Carolina School of Global Public Health.