“The built environment can positively (or negatively) influence many public health issues such as physical activity, healthy eating, mental health, injury prevention, and health equity. The built environment is part of our physical surroundings and includes the buildings, parks, schools, road systems, and other infrastructure that we encounter in our daily lives. Researchers have found convincing evidence that people who live in communities characterized by mixed land use (e.g. with stores in walking distance of homes); well-connected street networks; and high residential density are more active than those who live in communities designed for automobile dependence.”
“The built environment can help, or hinder, active transportation opportunities. Active transportation refers to any form of human-powered transportation – walking, cycling, and wheelchair use, in-line skating or skateboarding. There are many ways to engage in active transportation, whether it is walking to the bus stop, or cycling to school/work.”
What you will find
These resources provide Canadian and international information to help you plan approaches to address the built environment and active transportation. For more information, please visit the Best Practices section for interventions related to the built environment and active transportation.
Data
A first step to planning approaches to address the built environment and active transportation is to understand more about them through surveillance data:
Canadian Data
Built Environment
- Fast facts about Canada’s neighbourhoods and physical activity, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014).
- Road diets: Fitter, healthier public ways (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (2013).
- Healthy communities: Legislative comparison survey report, Canadian Institute of Planners (2013).
- Health equity and community design: What is the Canadian evidence saying?, Canadian Institute of Planners (2012).
- Active living, children and youth: What is the Canadian evidence saying?, Canadian Institute of Planners (2012).
- Intersection between the built and social environments and older adult’s mobility, National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2012).
- Urban traffic calming and health: Literature review, National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (2011).
- Fact sheets for promoting healthy built environments, National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2010).
Active Transportation
- Active transportation, health and community design: What is the Canadian evidence saying?, Canadian Institute of Planners (2012).
- Active transportation in urban areas: Exploring health benefits and risks, (UBC Bridge Program) National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2010).
Provincial/Territorial Data
- Healthy Canada by design: CLASP (Coalition Linking Action and Science for Prevention) case studies, Healthy Canada by Design (2014).
Alberta
- A policy scan for the built environment health promotion strategy (PDF document), Alberta Health Services (2012).
- An environmental scan of active transportation programs in Alberta schools (PDF document), Alberta Centre for Active Living (2010).
British Columbia
- 2009 BC sprawl report: Walkability and health, SmartGrowth BC
Nova Scotia
- Choose how you move: Exploring sustainable transportation in Nova Scotia (PDF document), Government of Nova Scotia (2013).
Ontario
- Built environment data related to walkability & environmental exposures in urban Ontario (PDF document), Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health (2012).
- Evidence brief: Neighbourhood walkability and physical activity in urban areas (PDF Document), Public Health Ontario (2015).
- Case Study: Health effects of traffic-related air pollution in a small community (PDF Document), Public Health Ontario (2015).
Quebec
- Portrait de l’environnement bâti et de l’environnement des services : un outil d’analyse pour améliorer les habitudes de vie (French only). An interactive atlas of Quebec that provides information on the built environment, food environments, socio-economic conditions and infrastructures. Institut national de santé publique.
- The Built Environment Around Schools and the Lifestyle Habits of Young People – State of knowledge and Québec Overview (PDF document), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2014).
- Built environment and physical activity among young people (PDF document), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2013).
- Highlights of the research: How the built environment influences young people’s food choices (PDF document), Quebec en Forme (2012).
- Impact of the built environment on physical activity, diet and body weight: Summary (PDF document), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2012).
- Geographical indicators of the built environment and services environment influencing physical activity, diet and body weight (PDF document), Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2009).
- Potentiel piétonnier et utilisation des modes de transport actif pour aller au travail au Québec : État des lieux et perspectives d’interventions (PDF document) (French only). Analysis suggests positive associations between neighbourhood walkability and increased physical activity and use of active transportation. Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2015).
International
Europe
- Cycling and urban air quality: A study of European experiences (PDF document), European Cyclists’ Federation (2014).
United Kingdom
- A healthy relationship: Public Health and transport collaboration in local government (PDF document), Passenger Transport Executive Group (pteg) (2015)
Australia
- Australia state of the environment 2011, Australian Government: Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Better life index.
- The metropolitan century: Understanding urbanisation and its consequences (2015).
United States
- National environmental public health tracking system (Community design model), Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.
- Community Commons, Website provides a variety of community based data, including that which relates to the built environment.
- Bicycling and walking in the United States 2014: Benchmarking report, Alliance for Biking and Walking.
World Health Organisation
Government Strategies (Frameworks, Action Plans, etc.)
Canadian Strategies
- The pan-Canadian healthy living strategy, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Age-friendly communities, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Health authorities and the built environment: Actions to influence public policies, National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (2012).
- Community planning with a health equity lens: Promising directions and strategies, (UBC Bridge Program), National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2011).
Provincial/Territorial/Regional Strategies
Alberta
- For the love of winter: Strategy for transforming Edmonton into a world-leading winter city (PDF document), City of Edmonton (2012).
British Columbia
- Healthy families BC communities, Ministry of Health.
Manitoba
- Manitoba in motion/communities in motion, Government of Manitoba.
- Manitoba’s action plan on active transportation, Government of Manitoba (2013).
Nova Scotia
- Choose how you move: Sustainable transportation strategy (PDF document), Government of Nova Scotia (2013).
- Discussion brief: Reducing childhood obesity by increasing opportunities for active transportation (PDF document), SafeRoutes Nova Scotia (2011).
- Growing up healthy: Discussion framework for a childhood obesity prevention strategy (PDF document), The built environment represents one of the major action areas required to improve children’s health through obesity prevention. Government of Nova Scotia (2011).
Ontario
- Strategic plan 2014-2019 Evidence, knowledge and action for a healthier Ontario (PDF document), Public Health Ontario (2013).
- Places to grow, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
- #CycleON: Ontario’s cycling strategy, Ministry of Transportation (2013).
- Public Health and land use planning: How ten public health units are working to create healthy and sustainable communities (PDF document), Clean Air Partnership and the Ontario Public Health Association (2011).
Quebec
- Stratégie nationale de mobilité durable: Une approche responsable et novatrice (PDF Document), Ministry of Transportation (2014).
- Quebec in action: Greener by 2020: 2013-2020 Government strategy for climate change adaptation (PDF document) (includes a strategy for the built environment). Government of Quebec (2012).
International Strategies
Australia
- An Australian vision for active transport, Government of Western Australia (2011).
Europe
- Cycling: The way ahead for towns and cities (PDF document), A foundational document. European Commission (1999).
France
- Plan d’action mobilités actives (PDF document)(French only). Framework to support the development and implementation of a shared vision and commitment concrete and sustainable solutions for active urban transportation modes taking into account diverse elements of safety, health, tourism, sustainable development, urban planning, training, education, and sport. Ministère de l’écologie, du développement durable et de l’énergie (2014).
Netherlands
- The Dutch bicycle master plan (PDF document), Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (1999).
Norway
- National plan of action for road traffic safety 2010-2013 (PDF document). Norwegian Public Roads Administration (in collaboration).
Scotland
- Cycling action plan for Scotland (CAPS) (PDF document), The Scottish Government (2010).
United Kingdom
- Creating an active Wales (PDF document), Government of Wales (2009).
- Cycling and walking: The economic case for action, Department for Transport, Government of UK (2015).
- Building an active travel future for Northern Ireland (PDF document), Department for Regional Development (2011).
United States
- Step it up! The Surgeon General’s call to action to promote walking and walkable communities (PDF document), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General (2015).
- CDC’s built environment and health initiative, National Center for Environmental Health.
- National prevention strategy: America’s plan for better health and wellness (PDF document), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General (2011).
WHO
Guidance
Canadian Guidance
Built Environment
- Active living, children & youth: What is the Canadian evidence saying?, Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP)
- Green space and mental health: Pathways, impacts, and gaps (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2015).
- Age-friendly rural and remote communities: A guide, Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Healthy communities practice guide (PDF document), Canadian Institute of Planners (2012).
- Built environment readiness assessment, National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (2010).
- Canadian child-and youth-friendly land-use and transport planning guidelines (PDF document), The Centre for Sustainable Transportation (2010).
- Bringing health to the planning table: A profile of promising practices in Canada and abroad, Public Health Agency of Canada (2009).
Active Transportation
- Canadian municipal & Canadian provincial/territorial active transportation policy maps, Cancerview.ca, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
- Mobilizing knowledge on active transportation, Public Health Agency of Canada (2014).
- TDM [Transportation Demand Management] measurement toolbox: A guide for Canadian municipalities (PDF document), Transport Canada (2012).
- Active transportation in Canada: A resource and planning guide (PDF document), Transport Canada (2011).
- Active and safe routes to school: Cycling resource manual (PDF Document), Transport Canada (2011).
- Marketing active transportation (PDF document), Transport Canada (2010).
- Improving travel options in small & rural communities (PDF document), Transport Canada (2009).
Provincial/Territorial
- Child-and youth-friendly land use and transport planning guidelines (PDF document) A three part document is available for each province that outlines the rational for child and youth-friendly land use and transport planning, provides guidelines, and discusses implementation issues. The Centre for Sustainable Transportation (2010).
Alberta
- Active transportation for the school journey (PDF document), WellSpring, Alberta Centre for Active Living (2014).
- Built environment indicators review: Summary report (PDF document), Alberta Health Services.
- Building age-friendly communities: A guide for local action (PDF document), Government of Alberta (2012).
British Columbia
- B.E.A.T. Built Environment & Active Transportation: Neighbourhood Assessment (PDF document), BC Recreation and Parks Association.
- Promoting public health through smart growth: Building healthier communities through transportation and land use policies and practices (PDF document), Smart GrowthBC
- Healthy built environment linkages: A toolkit for design, planning & Health (PDF document), Provincial Health Services Authority (2014).
- Health 201: A knowledge-to action framework for creating healthier built environments guide (PDF document), Provincial Health Services Authority (2010).
- Creating healthy communities: Tools and actions to foster environments for healthy living (PDF document), Smart Growth BC (2009).
- Foundations for a healthier built environment (PDF document), Provincial Health Services Authority (2009).
Manitoba
- Planning resource guide: Transportation planning (PDF document), Government of Manitoba (2011).
- Greater strides: Taking action on active transportation: Recommendations to the Manitoba government from Manitoba’s active transportation advisory group (PDF document), Government of Manitoba (2011).
Nova Scotia
- Liability from active school travel (PDF document), SafeRoutestoSchool (2010).
Ontario
- Affordable housing active design: Guidelines and standards (PDF document), Region of Peel (2014).
- Finding the right fit: Age-friendly community planning, Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat (2013).
- Transit-supportive guidelines, Ontario Ministry of Transportation (2012).
- Planning by design: A healthy communities handbook, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (2009).
Quebec
- Road Diets: Healthier public ways (PDF document), National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy (2013).
- The built environment and physical activity: Data collection tools to support Intervention (PDF document) Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2014).
- Portrait de l’environnement bâti et de l’environnement des services : Un outil d’analyse pour améliorer les habitudes de vie (PDF document) (French only). Outlines the methods used to operationalise the use of various built environment indicators used in a series of 16 regional studies. Institut national de santé publique (2012).
- Modifying the built environment to promote healthy eating among youth (PDF document), Québec en Forme (2012).
International Guidance
Australia
- Healthy spaces & places: A national guide to designing places for healthy living (PDF document), Healthy Places & Spaces (2009).
United Kingdom
- Working together to promote active travel: A briefing for local authorities (PDF document), Public Health England (2016).
- Everybody active, every day: What works-the evidence (PDF document), Public Health England (2014).
- Walking and cycling: Local measures to promote walking and cycling as forms of travel or recreation, NICE guidelines (2012).
- Physical activity and the environment, NICE guidelines (2008).
United States
- The Built Environment assessment tool manual (An adaption of MAPS) (PDF document), Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2015).
- A resident’s guide for creating safer communities for walking and biking (PDF document), US Department of Transportation (2015).
- CDC Recommendations for improving health through transportation policy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The Built Environment Assessment Tool Manual, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015).
- Parks and trails health impact assessment toolkit, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Building Understanding of Environmental Health – A Communications Toolkit, In collaboration with the American Public Health Association (2016).
- Metropolitan area transportation planning for healthy communities (PDF document), U.S. Department of Transportation (2012).
- Safe routes to school and traffic pollution: Get children moving and reduce exposure to unhealthy air (PDF document), SafeRoutesPartnership (2012).
- Increasing physical activity through community design: A guide for public health practitioners and livable community advocates (PDF document), National Center for Bicycling and Walking (2010).
World Health Organization
- Health in all policies training manual, World Health Organization (2015).
- THE PEP: Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme, (THE PEP) toolbox. World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
- Health economic assessment tools (HEAT) for walking and cycling. Methodology and user guide. Economic assessment of transport infrastructure and policy. 2014 update, Europe.
- Developing national action plans on transport, health and environment: A step-by-step manual for policy-makers and planners (PDF document), Europe (2014).
- Environmental burden of disease associated with inadequate housing. A method guide to the quantification of health effects of selected housing risks in the WHO region. Summary report (2011).
- Global age-friendly cities: A guide, A foundational document (2007).
Systematic Reviews of the Research
Selected strong reviews from HealthEvidence.org:
- Housing improvements for health and associated socio-economic outcomes (2013).
- Cycling for transport and public health: A systematic review of the effect of the environment on cycling (2011).
- Interventions to promote cycling: Systematic review (2010).
Search more systematic reviews.