One of the original motivations of zoning (beside xenophobia and business interests) was combating the effects of pollution and infectious diseases. Over half a century of strictly separating uses has proven that maybe we went too far in the other direction, what with the obesity epidemic that's due in no small part to communities designed for sedentary lifestyles. The health-related side of this planning tool is set to be revisited September 20-21 during the Healthy Communities Summit, put on by by the Atlanta Chapter of the CNU, the CDC, and Georgia Tech's Student Planning Association; the idea is to bring together health and design officials with the hope that the habit of unhealthy planning practices can finally be kicked. The newly adopted codes in the cities of Milton and Woodstock are mentioned as good examples of this enlightened thinking. Will the rest of the metro follow suit?
· Fall 2012 Healthy Communities Summit [CNU Atlanta Chapter]
· How code reform can improve public health in the Atlanta region [CNU Atlanta Blog]