Built Environment

The built environment refers to human-made (versus natural) resources and infrastructure designed to support human activity, such as buildings, roads, parks, and other amenities. The characteristics of the built environment can affect the health of residents in multiple ways. For example, the variety, price, and availability of healthy foods in the local environment can play a role in whether those foods are consumed. Additionally, the availability of recreational facilities, sidewalks, and bike lanes can influence individuals' and communities' choices to engage in physical activity. The character of a community's built environment can impact the likelihood of a number of conditions and diseases.

Reviewed built environment policies and programs are listed below. Click on column headings to sort by category, policy or program, evidence rating, or decision maker. Click on Policy or Program name for more information.

Category ↑↓	Policy or Program ↑↓	Evidence Rating ↑↓	Decision Maker
Category ↑↓	Policy or Program ↑↓	Evidence Rating ↑↓	Businesses & Employers ↑↓	Community Organizations ↑↓	Government ↑↓	Healthcare ↑↓	Individuals ↑↓	Schools ↑↓
Create opportunities for active living	Access to places for physical activity Access to places for physical activity	1 Scientifically Supported
Create opportunities for active living	Improve streetscape design Improve streetscape design	1 Scientifically Supported
Create opportunities for active living	Increase green space/parks Increase green space/parks	1 Scientifically Supported
Create opportunities for active living	Mixed-use development Mixed-use development	1 Scientifically Supported
Create opportunities for active living	Zoning regulations: land use policy Zoning regulations: land use policy	1 Scientifically Supported
Create opportunities for active living	Joint use agreements Joint use agreements	2 Some Evidence
Create opportunities for active living	Subsidize public transportation Subsidize public transportation	2 Some Evidence
Create opportunities for active living	Bicycle/pedestrian master plans Bicycle/pedestrian master plans	2 Some Evidence
Create safe places for recreation & play	Zoning regulations: swimming pool fencing Zoning regulations: swimming pool fencing	1 Scientifically Supported
Create safe places for recreation & play	Playground safety regulations (e.g., SAFE playgrounds) Playground safety regulations (e.g., SAFE playgrounds)	2 Some Evidence
Improve housing quality	Housing rehabilitation loan & grant programs Housing rehabilitation loan & grant programs	1 Scientifically Supported
Improve housing quality	Lead abatement programs Lead abatement programs	2 Some Evidence
Improve housing quality	Master Home Environmentalist program Master Home Environmentalist program	2 Some Evidence
Improve housing quality	Radon mitigation programs Radon mitigation programs	2 Some Evidence
Improve housing quality	Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)	2 Some Evidence
Improve traffic safety	Traffic calming Traffic calming	1 Scientifically Supported
Improve traffic safety	Out of town bypasses Out of town bypasses	2 Some Evidence
Improve traffic safety	Speed enforcement detection devices Speed enforcement detection devices	2 Some Evidence
Increase access to healthy food options	Community gardens Community gardens	2 Some Evidence
Increase access to healthy food options	Farmers markets/stands in low income neighborhoods Farmers markets/stands in low income neighborhoods	2 Some Evidence
Support affordable housing options	Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs)	2 Some Evidence
Support affordable housing options	Community land trusts Community land trusts	2 Some Evidence
Support affordable housing options	Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs)	2 Some Evidence
Support affordable housing options	Inclusionary or incentive zoning Inclusionary or incentive zoning	2 Some Evidence
Support affordable housing options	Land banking Land banking	2 Some Evidence
Support affordable housing options	Housing trust funds Housing trust funds	3 Expert Opinion
Support affordable housing options	HOME Investment Partnership Program HOME Investment Partnership Program	3 Expert Opinion
Support affordable housing options	Affordable housing tax increment financing (TIF) Affordable housing tax increment financing (TIF)	3 Expert Opinion
Support affordable housing options	Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)	3 Expert Opinion