Design for Health May 24, 2007 Health Impact Assessment: Threshold Analysis Kevin Krizek Design for Health

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Characteristics of the Threshold HIA Level III: Most specific in the suite of HIA tools provided by Design for Health. Informed by synthesizing and digesting available research. –What does the “research tells us” –How strong/clear is that research –How can it be applied to more specific projects or plan proposals

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Where to use in the HIA process? Most rapidly evolving of the types of HIAs being developed Best used later in the planning process

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Structure of the Threshold HIA Uses same categories of public health categories as other tools in the Design for Health HIA suite Further breaks these areas down into 20 or so specific criteria Requires specific knowledge of the plan or project (e.g., specific information or characteristics about plan element or development proposal Scoring is based on sliding scale

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Other efforts / comparable products Tool -Healthy Development Tool (San Francisco) -LEED - ND -Design for Health Distinguishing characteristics -54 categories -Based on Yes/No -Very comprehensive -Based on select studies -Point based -70 categories -Based on select studies -20 or so specific criteria -Carefully digests available research -Focuses on dimensions directly relevant to planning

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Topic: Accessibility Threshold Analysis (Draft) IntentEnsure adequate transit service. RationaleTransit service not only provides alternatives to auto- travel, but provides means of mobility for the elderly, young and/or financially disadvantaged. RequirementsResidential components of the plan are built at an average of more than seven units per acre DefinitionsNeed to consider net density. SubmissionSite plan with density calculations. Possible Credits 1 for 7 units per residential acre; 2 for 7 units per gross acre Credits Awarded Transit Service (Threshold)

Design for Health May 24, 2007

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Topic: Accessibility Threshold Analysis (Draft) IntentEnsure transit service that can be walked to conveniently. RationalePeople are not willing to walk more than 1200 m (three- quarters of a mile) for a transit stop, on average. While some people may not be able to walk this far, the figure represents a reasonable average. RequirementsAll residential or employment areas are located within 1200 m of a transit stop. DefinitionsA transit stop is a bus or train stop with service at least every hour during the daytime on weekdays and weekends. SubmissionSite plan showing employment and residential areas and locations of proposed transit stops. Possible Credits1 credit for a transit stop within 1200 m; 2 credits for a train stop within 800 m or a bus stop within 400 m.* Credits Awarded Transit stops (Threshold)

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Need an example of a map

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Topic: Food Threshold Analysis (Draft) IntentProvide access to fruits and vegetables. RationaleStudies show distances to supermarkets have the clearest effects on health (compared with, say, access to different kinds of restaurants). RequirementsSupermarkets or fruit and vegetable stores within a mile of each residence. DefinitionsA supermarket or fruit and vegetable store is a farmer's market or an establishment with a NAICS code of or SubmissionMap showing location of proposal and distance to nearest supermarket or fruit and vegetable stores. Possible Credits2 awarded if there is a supermarket or fruit and vegetable store within a mile of each home; 1 if the distance is 2 miles Credits Awarded Distance to a supermarket or fruit and vegetable shop (Threshold)

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Food Stores--NAICS Code Examples 445 Food and Beverage Stores Grocery Stores Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except convenience) Stores Convenience Stores Specialty Food Stores Meat Markets Fish and Seafood Markets Fruit and Vegetable Markets Other Specialty Food Stores Baked Goods Stores Confectionery and Nut Stores All Other Specialty Food Stores Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores4453

Design for Health May 24, Meters

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Topic: Air Quality Threshold Analysis (Draft) IntentPrevent respiratory diseases and premature births. RationaleStudies show decreasing particulates, respiratory diseases and premature births with distance from major roads. Residential areas, schools and playgrounds are key environments for vulnerable groups. RequirementsResidential areas should be more than a specified distance from a major road. DefinitionsA major road is defined as having an average annual daily traffic > 40,000, a freeway or a road with six or more lanes. Uses occupied by children include schools, day-care facilities, playgrounds and sports fields. SubmissionComprehensive plan map or site plan with area within 200 m and 500 m from major roads marked. Possible Credits1 credit if all such uses are more than 200 m from a major road; 2 credits if more than 500 m. Credits Awarded Distance from a freeway for residential uses and uses occupied by children (Threshold)

Design for Health May 24, 2007

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Topic: Physical Activity Threshold Analysis (Draft) IntentTo make it easier for people to engage in a variety of activities, potentially furthering physical activity. RationaleDifferent people have different ways of being physically active; a variety of environments support such. RequirementsResidential areas located less than 400 m (1/4 mile; 1,312 feet) of a neighborhood park, trail or open space, in order to provide options for physical activity and social interaction, particularly for children. DefinitionsTo come. SubmissionMap showing proximity to open space appropriate for active outdoor play. Possible Credits1 credit if requirements met. Credits Awarded Access to playing areas, parks and trails (Threshold)

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Need an example

Design for Health May 24, 2007 IntentEnsure safe drinking water. RationaleSources of groundwater contamination include proximity to septic systems, leaking underground tanks, contamination from landfills, and other forms of polluted surface runoff (nitrogen fertilizers, mining, etc.). RequirementsSensitivity to, and appropriate distance away from, septic systems, leaking underground tanks, contamination from landfills, and other forms of polluted surface runoff (nitrogen fertilizers, mining, etc.). DefinitionsTo come. SubmissionDocuments detailing water infrastructure plans. Possible Credits1 if developed in a site with existing water and sewer infrastructure or where this is planned to occur with development. Credits Awarded Threshold Analysis (Draft) Topic: Water Quality Groundwater and drinking-water quality (Threshold)

Design for Health May 24, MPCA: “What’s in my neighborhood – Minneapolis”

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Score Sheet Threshold Analysis (Draft) Topic, Threshold or AssociationPotential Credits Credits Awarded Topic: Accessibility Transit service (Threshold)Credits: 2 Transit stops (Threshold)Credits: 2 Topic: Air Quality Distance from a freeway for residential uses and uses occupied by children (Threshold) Credits: 1-2 Polluting uses (Association) Air quality mitigation (Association)Credits: 1

Design for Health May 24, 2007 Threshold Analysis Next Steps (Image centered left to right, 2.5 up from bottom, 2.0 from top) 1.Refine available guidelines 2.Field test 3.Ensure they are user friendly and robust 4.Produce an available product to employ in late summer Ann Forsyth