Built Environment Conference 2009

Mapping Your Mile: What You Can Do NOW

Each of us has an important role in improving our lives in the built environment. From policy makers to individual community members we have the power to improve access in those areas that are important to us. Consider your own neighborhood or worksite.

Does the size of the street make it scary to cross because it is too narrow and curvy or too wide with no crosswalk? Do parents have to take their strollers onto the street because the sidewalks are in such disrepair that babies are nearly ejected? What’s closer, the fast food restaurant or the farmer’s market? Is there mold causing an increase in asthma in certain buildings? Are the tree branches so low that it could be dangerous for a blind pedestrian?

As a follow-up to this year’s Built Environment Conference, we are asking each participant to “Walk Your Own Mile” – to walk your immediate neighborhood while asking yourself how nonmotorized access to healthy activities and foods, safety, and community services could be improved.

• Map out your walking route, starting from your home or worksite
• When you set off, be sure to take a digital camera so that you can capture your observations and ideas to send us later
• Photograph and describe areas where walkers and wheelers would benefit from improvements in the built environment.  Think about this from as many perspectives as possible, including these demonstrated at the conference:
• • Ease of use for pedestrians
  • Ease of use for bikes, wheelchairs, strollers
  • Capacity for walkers in family groups of three or more
  • Access to places to play, healthy foods, water resources, public transportation, emergency services, medical assistance, and mental health sites
• Send a description or a map of your route, along with your photos (including detailed information about the location and description of each photo) to us at WalkYourMile@MarinBeHealthy.org. We will post them on this website for all to see.
• Consider what you could take on as your personal project to improve access
• Keep us updated on your progress!  We are eager to hear how the effect of this conference is moving out across the county.  If you haven't already done so, please register on this website and participate in the forums!

THANK YOU!