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• 1. [Article] Evaluating a New Urbanist Neighborhood

  New Urbanist neighborhoods aim to improve sustainability by reducing automobile use, increasing walking and cycling, increasing the diversity of land uses and people, and increasing social capital, through ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Evaluating a New Urbanist Neighborhood Author: Dill, Jennifer Year: 2006 New Urbanist neighborhoods aim to improve sustainability by reducing automobile use, increasing walking and cycling, increasing the diversity of land uses and people, and increasing social capital, through strengthened personal and civic bonds. With more New Urbanist communities being constructed, it is now more feasible and necessary to evaluate their success. Much of the existing research uses older, traditional neighborhoods as a proxy for New Urbanism. This research compares a New Urbanist development with two conventional subdivisions and finds that some of the objectives are being fulfi lled, in both direct and indirect ways. While New Urbanist residents are walking more, they may not be driving less as a direct result of the New Urbanist design features. Demographic factors appear to explain much of the differences in overall driving. Title: Evaluating a New Urbanist Neighborhood Author: Dill, Jennifer Year: 2006 New Urbanist neighborhoods aim to improve sustainability by reducing automobile use, increasing walking and cycling, increasing the diversity of land uses and people, and increasing social capital, through strengthened personal and civic bonds. With more New Urbanist communities being constructed, it is now more feasible and necessary to evaluate their success. Much of the existing research uses older, traditional neighborhoods as a proxy for New Urbanism. This research compares a New Urbanist development with two conventional subdivisions and finds that some of the objectives are being fulfi lled, in both direct and indirect ways. While New Urbanist residents are walking more, they may not be driving less as a direct result of the New Urbanist design features. Demographic factors appear to explain much of the differences in overall driving. Close

• 2. [Article] Land Use Innovation: Experiences in the Adoption of Land Use Policies to Promote Active Living

  Obesity continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. As of 2007, 28.8% of adolescents were either overweight or obese. The rise in obesity may, in part, be attributable to declines ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Land Use Innovation: Experiences in the Adoption of Land Use Policies to Promote Active Living Author: Dill, Jennifer, Howe, Deborah A. Year: 2010 Obesity continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. As of 2007, 28.8% of adolescents were either overweight or obese. The rise in obesity may, in part, be attributable to declines in physical activity (PA) levels. In 2007, only 34.7% of adolescents met the national PA guidelines. Since PA levels decrease between childhood and adolescence, the middle school transition is a particularly vulnerable period that warrants special attention. In 2003, Somerville, Massachusetts organized an Active Living by Design (ALbD) partnership to promote community- wide active living through promotion activities (maps), policy changes, programs to engage immigrant communities, and physical changes to the environment (bike lines), and data gathering to evaluate these activities (student height, weight and fitness measurements). The partnership collaborated with other community initiatives to maximize the collective impact for health promotion. This study evaluates PA among a diverse population of middle school students (6th-8th grades) in Somerville and a neighboring comparison community concurrent with Somerville?s ALbD promotion efforts. Specifically, we will 1) document Somerville PA trends over time; 2) examine between-city differences in meeting PA recommendations; 3) explore the relationship(s) of utilization of recreational space and social support on PA; and 4) discuss the policy implications of our findings. Title: Land Use Innovation: Experiences in the Adoption of Land Use Policies to Promote Active Living Author: Dill, Jennifer, Howe, Deborah A. Year: 2010 Obesity continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. As of 2007, 28.8% of adolescents were either overweight or obese. The rise in obesity may, in part, be attributable to declines in physical activity (PA) levels. In 2007, only 34.7% of adolescents met the national PA guidelines. Since PA levels decrease between childhood and adolescence, the middle school transition is a particularly vulnerable period that warrants special attention. In 2003, Somerville, Massachusetts organized an Active Living by Design (ALbD) partnership to promote community- wide active living through promotion activities (maps), policy changes, programs to engage immigrant communities, and physical changes to the environment (bike lines), and data gathering to evaluate these activities (student height, weight and fitness measurements). The partnership collaborated with other community initiatives to maximize the collective impact for health promotion. This study evaluates PA among a diverse population of middle school students (6th-8th grades) in Somerville and a neighboring comparison community concurrent with Somerville?s ALbD promotion efforts. Specifically, we will 1) document Somerville PA trends over time; 2) examine between-city differences in meeting PA recommendations; 3) explore the relationship(s) of utilization of recreational space and social support on PA; and 4) discuss the policy implications of our findings. Close

• 3. [Article] The Role of Health and Physical Activity in the Adoption of Innovative Land Use Policy: Findings from Surveys of Local Planners

  Background: Research has established that built environments, including street networks, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and land uses, can positively affect the frequency and duration of daily ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Role of Health and Physical Activity in the Adoption of Innovative Land Use Policy: Findings from Surveys of Local Planners Author: Dill, Jennifer, Howe, Deborah A. Year: 2011 Background: Research has established that built environments, including street networks, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and land uses, can positively affect the frequency and duration of daily physical activity. Attention is now being given to policy frameworks such as zoning codes that set the standards and expectations for this built environment. Methods: We examined the adoption and implementation of mixed-use and related zoning provisions with specific attention to the role that physical activity serves as a motivation for such policies and to what extent public health agencies influence the adoption process. A sample of planning directors from 53 communities with outstanding examples of mixed-use developments and 145 randomly selected midsized communities were surveyed. Results: Physical activity is not a dominant motivator in master plans and/or zoning codes and public health agencies played minor roles in policy adoption. However, physical activity as a motivation appears to be increasing in recent years and is associated with higher levels of policy innovation. Conclusions: Recommendations include framing the importance of physical activity in terms of other dominant concerns such as livability, dynamic centers, and economic development. Health agencies are encouraged to work in coalitions to focus arguments on behalf of physical activity. Title: The Role of Health and Physical Activity in the Adoption of Innovative Land Use Policy: Findings from Surveys of Local Planners Author: Dill, Jennifer, Howe, Deborah A. Year: 2011 Background: Research has established that built environments, including street networks, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and land uses, can positively affect the frequency and duration of daily physical activity. Attention is now being given to policy frameworks such as zoning codes that set the standards and expectations for this built environment. Methods: We examined the adoption and implementation of mixed-use and related zoning provisions with specific attention to the role that physical activity serves as a motivation for such policies and to what extent public health agencies influence the adoption process. A sample of planning directors from 53 communities with outstanding examples of mixed-use developments and 145 randomly selected midsized communities were surveyed. Results: Physical activity is not a dominant motivator in master plans and/or zoning codes and public health agencies played minor roles in policy adoption. However, physical activity as a motivation appears to be increasing in recent years and is associated with higher levels of policy innovation. Conclusions: Recommendations include framing the importance of physical activity in terms of other dominant concerns such as livability, dynamic centers, and economic development. Health agencies are encouraged to work in coalitions to focus arguments on behalf of physical activity. Close

• 4. [Article] Sustainable Transportation Planning in the Portland Region

  Sustainable transportation planning principles deemphasize motor vehicle trips in favor of alternative means of moving from place to place. Portland has emerged as a national leader in bicycle commuting, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Sustainable Transportation Planning in the Portland Region Author: Dill, Jennifer Year: 2008 Sustainable transportation planning principles deemphasize motor vehicle trips in favor of alternative means of moving from place to place. Portland has emerged as a national leader in bicycle commuting, public transit use, and innovative land use planning which encourages public accessibility to transportation alternatives while minimizing the impact on the environment. Dr. Jennifer Dill, associate professor in the School of Urban Studies and Planning at Portland State University, lists essential elements of a sustainable transportation system, provides policy frameworks, and discusses aspects of the Transportation Planning Rule adopted by Oregon lawmakers in 1991. Dr. Dill explains how plans are created and implemented at the local level and shares results which reveal encouraging trends in public transit and bicycle use for commuting. Title: Sustainable Transportation Planning in the Portland Region Author: Dill, Jennifer Year: 2008 Sustainable transportation planning principles deemphasize motor vehicle trips in favor of alternative means of moving from place to place. Portland has emerged as a national leader in bicycle commuting, public transit use, and innovative land use planning which encourages public accessibility to transportation alternatives while minimizing the impact on the environment. Dr. Jennifer Dill, associate professor in the School of Urban Studies and Planning at Portland State University, lists essential elements of a sustainable transportation system, provides policy frameworks, and discusses aspects of the Transportation Planning Rule adopted by Oregon lawmakers in 1991. Dr. Dill explains how plans are created and implemented at the local level and shares results which reveal encouraging trends in public transit and bicycle use for commuting. Close

• 5. [Article] Travel and Transit Use at Portland Area Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs)

  In recent years there has been a growing interest in using land use planning to reduce reliance on the automobile long-term, through ideas such as smart growth, New Urbanism, pedestrian pockets, and transit-oriented ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Travel and Transit Use at Portland Area Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) Author: Dill, Jennifer Year: 2006 In recent years there has been a growing interest in using land use planning to reduce reliance on the automobile long-term, through ideas such as smart growth, New Urbanism, pedestrian pockets, and transit-oriented development (TODs). Many growing regions throughout the United States, are turning to these concepts to address problems of traffic congestion and suburban sprawl. However, the effectiveness of such policies in reducing automobile travel and improving livability is largely unknown. Portland was one of the early adopters and is often pointed to as a model for other regions. The Region's 2040 Growth Concept, adopted by the Metro regional government, includes many smart growth concepts. Metro uses a number of programs and policies to implement the 2040 Growth Concept, including subsidies to transit-oriented developments. This research surveyed residents of TODs in the Portland area to help answer the following questions: Do residents of transit-oriented developments (TODs) drive vehicles less, use transit more, and/or walk and bicycle more than residents of other neighborhoods? To what extent can TODs increase transit ridership? How do the features of the TOD influence travel choices? Do the features of TODs induce people to change their travel behavior? Alternatively, are people who move to these neighborhoods already active transit users, walkers, or cyclists, i.e. they are seeking an environment in which to practice their preferred travel behaviors? These questions are key to understanding the cause-effect relationship between the built environment and travel behavior. How do people's attitudes towards travel and their neighborhood influence travel behavior? Title: Travel and Transit Use at Portland Area Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) Author: Dill, Jennifer Year: 2006 In recent years there has been a growing interest in using land use planning to reduce reliance on the automobile long-term, through ideas such as smart growth, New Urbanism, pedestrian pockets, and transit-oriented development (TODs). Many growing regions throughout the United States, are turning to these concepts to address problems of traffic congestion and suburban sprawl. However, the effectiveness of such policies in reducing automobile travel and improving livability is largely unknown. Portland was one of the early adopters and is often pointed to as a model for other regions. The Region's 2040 Growth Concept, adopted by the Metro regional government, includes many smart growth concepts. Metro uses a number of programs and policies to implement the 2040 Growth Concept, including subsidies to transit-oriented developments. This research surveyed residents of TODs in the Portland area to help answer the following questions: Do residents of transit-oriented developments (TODs) drive vehicles less, use transit more, and/or walk and bicycle more than residents of other neighborhoods? To what extent can TODs increase transit ridership? How do the features of the TOD influence travel choices? Do the features of TODs induce people to change their travel behavior? Alternatively, are people who move to these neighborhoods already active transit users, walkers, or cyclists, i.e. they are seeking an environment in which to practice their preferred travel behaviors? These questions are key to understanding the cause-effect relationship between the built environment and travel behavior. How do people's attitudes towards travel and their neighborhood influence travel behavior? Close

• 6. [Article] An Evaluation of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Environmental Streamlining Efforts: A Focus on CETAS

  The Oregon Department of Transportation responded to the federal call in the late 1990s to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by (1) implementing organizational and procedural changes ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An Evaluation of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Environmental Streamlining Efforts: A Focus on CETAS Author: Ozawa, Connie P., Dill, Jennifer Year: 2005 The Oregon Department of Transportation responded to the federal call in the late 1990s to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by (1) implementing organizational and procedural changes internal to the agency, (2) funding ODOT-dedicated staff positions in state and federal resource agencies, and (3) convening regular meetings with state and federal agencies with NEPA-related regulatory responsibilities. This latter effort evolved into the CETAS (Collaborative Environmental and Transportation Agreement for Streamlining) process that includes a management and a technical team element. This document reports an assessment of the effectiveness of these efforts. Phase I of the study was designed to document the perceptions and behaviors in ODOT employees at the onset of ODOT organizational and procedural changes and to compare the responses to ones obtained from ODOT employees after some passage of time. The time period covered in this section is roughly Fall 2001 to Fall 2003. Phase II of the study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the CETAS process and documents factors that affect project timelines in Oregon state highway projects for pre-CETAS projects. The third section of this document includes an analysis of the CETAS process based on interviews conducted in the spring and summer of 2004. Title: An Evaluation of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Environmental Streamlining Efforts: A Focus on CETAS Author: Ozawa, Connie P., Dill, Jennifer Year: 2005 The Oregon Department of Transportation responded to the federal call in the late 1990s to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by (1) implementing organizational and procedural changes internal to the agency, (2) funding ODOT-dedicated staff positions in state and federal resource agencies, and (3) convening regular meetings with state and federal agencies with NEPA-related regulatory responsibilities. This latter effort evolved into the CETAS (Collaborative Environmental and Transportation Agreement for Streamlining) process that includes a management and a technical team element. This document reports an assessment of the effectiveness of these efforts. Phase I of the study was designed to document the perceptions and behaviors in ODOT employees at the onset of ODOT organizational and procedural changes and to compare the responses to ones obtained from ODOT employees after some passage of time. The time period covered in this section is roughly Fall 2001 to Fall 2003. Phase II of the study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the CETAS process and documents factors that affect project timelines in Oregon state highway projects for pre-CETAS projects. The third section of this document includes an analysis of the CETAS process based on interviews conducted in the spring and summer of 2004. Close