>From the New York Times: HEALTH / RESEARCH | August 5, 2008 Vital Signs: Patterns: In Older Neighborhoods, Less Weight Gain By ERIC NAGOURNEY A new study reports that people who live in older neighborhoods appear less likely to be overweight.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/health/research/05patt.html?ex=1218772800&en=97a340e2bb95a503&ei=5070&emc=eta1 The article does not mention that a critical factor in neighborhood walkability is 1) density; and 2) as a result of density the presence of many more activity centers within a 10-15 minute walk of home. The fact is that older neighborhoods such as Fall Creek, South Side and Bryant Park are anywhere from five to ten times more densely built than post-1960s suburbs such as in the Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden abd Town of Lansing. That means that a lot more activities, such as schools, shopping, places of work, etc. are within easy walking and biking distance. Ergo, more exercise, less driving, less greenhouse gas emissions, etc., etc.., etc., etc. George Frantz --- George R. Frantz, AICP, ASLA Visiting Lecturer Dept. of City & Regional Planning Cornell University 604 Cliff Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 256-9310 _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
