Healthy Streets Evidence Review
In May 2013, Toronto’s City Council recommended that city staff develop Complete Streets Guidelines to help reshape Toronto streets. In advance of the development of the Complete Streets Guidelines, Toronto Public Health (TPH) commissioned a series of reports. Their purpose is to review the available research evidence in order to provide information about how the design elements of Complete Streets are associated with more active lifestyles and better health. The reports are:
- Healthy Streets: Design Features & Benefits
- Healthy Streets: Evidence Review
- Healthy Streets: Jurisdictional Review
This report builds on previous City efforts to promote health through better community design as described in many plans, policies, guidelines, and reports, including the Official Plan, Sustainable Transportation Initiatives, Bike Plan, Pedestrian Charter, Accessibility Design Guidelines, Vibrant Streets Guidelines, Streetscape Manual, Walking Strategy, Road to Health, and the Walkable City, among others. This report identifies and assesses published evidence about the association of specific street design choices with health outcomes and draws conclusions about how the information can be used to promote healthier street design in Toronto.
It most directly builds on the evidence of the health benefits of walking and biking compiled in the Road to Health: Improving Walking and Cycling in Toronto, which describes the health benefits of active transportation. This report provides a summary of the evidence about how specific street design elements help promote more walking, biking, and better health in general.
Source:
https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/963b-TPH-Healthy-Streets-Evidence-Review.pdf
