Hamilton Partners for Healthy Weights - It's the Daily Things that Count

Common Words and Definitions

Making the connection between health and the built environment is everyone’s concern. To assess your community, get to know some of the common words used to describe the built environment.

Connectivity:

This refers to how well roads, sidewalks, or paths are linked and how directly you can travel between places. Well connected streets (e.g. grid-like streets with lots of intersections) make it easier and more direct for walkers and cyclists to get from one place to another. Long blocks and crescents make it more difficult for walkers to get to where they are going.

Density:

This refers to bringing homes closer to destinations, such as supermarkets and other retail, employment, schools, and recreational settings. People who live in higher density areas use cars less often and walk and cycle more than those in low density neighborhoods.

Diversity or Land-use Mix:

This means increasing the number of destinations, such as different types of housing, shops, grocery stores, workplaces, schools, and open spaces. As mixed land use increases, active transportation, such as walking and cycling increases.

Aesthetics:

This refers to how an area looks. The more attractive a neighborhood is the more enjoyable walking and cycling is. Building design, landscaping, lighting, and benches all help make a neighborhood more attractive.

Traffic-Calming Measures:

This refers to the above design features that help prevent injuries while walking, biking, or driving. Narrow streets with sidewalks, boulevards, good lighting, cycling lanes, and other amenities that slow traffic contribute to a safe, comfortable environment for walking and cycling.