V05: Site Planning and Selection – Above Green

(3 points)

INTENT

Promote active living and physical activity by selecting sites that offer diverse amenities and uses, are in close proximity to mass transit and offer pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure in the surrounding area.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to demonstrate that the project site is near diverse uses and walkable and bike-friendly streets and has proximate access to mass transit.

ISSUE

Beyond the physical features of a building, the context in which the building is situated, including neighborhood and site-level factors, also plays an integral role in physical activity opportunities and choices.

SOLUTIONS

Site planning and selection is one of the first steps a new building project takes toward their health mission. While new building projects are able to leverage site planning and selection most readily, existing projects should also consider their site as a key part of early stakeholder discussions and identify effective ways to leverage available physical activity and active living assets. Mixed-use developments, featuring nearby restaurants and markets, civic centers, pharmacies, residences, commercial buildings and other venues, have been associated with higher levels of physical activity and lower body weight and obesity. Longitudinal data from a natural experiment demonstrated that access to both transport and recreational destinations increase walking behaviors among Australian adults. Further, studies have found that density, distance to destinations away from home and land use mix are consistently associated with walking. Specific to the workplace, evidence shows that proximate (400–800 m [0.25–0.5 mi]) destinations such as transit, shopping centers, restaurants/dining and residential buildings are associated with higher levels of walking. Access to mass transit is also associated with positive outcomes. Compared to car users, those who use mass transportation accrue higher levels of physical activity. In addition, access to mass transit is positively associated with socioeconomic opportunities and reduced carbon footprint. Another important consideration of site planning and selection is walkability. Walkable communities, featuring well-connected streets that leverage pedestrian-scale design strategies, are associated with higher moderate-to-vigorous activity levels, lower levels of sedentary behavior, reduced blood pressure and decreased risk of diabetes, obesity and depression. Recent studies have also examined the impact of neighborhood characteristics and utilization of neighborhood space. In one study, using GPS and accelerometer data, total neighborhood spaced utilized by study subjects was positively associated with intersection density and walkability scores were consistently higher in utilized areas compared to non-utilized areas. Thoughtful site planning and selection can also enhance opportunities for cycling. The presence of cyclist infrastructure such as cyclist lanes and, in particular, infrastructure that promotes cyclist safety, is known to increase ridership. Projects should consider additional strategies such as those listed in Feature V04: Active Commuter and Occupant Support to encourage active commuting and cycling to work.

IMPACT

The impact of thoughtful site planning and selection reaches beyond positive impacts on physical activity and active living and improves nearly every aspect of community health and vitality from social well-being to economic development.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Select Sites with Diverse Uses (2 points)

Verified by Annotated Map

For All Spaces

The following requirement is met:

The project is located within 400 m [0.25 mi] walk distance of at least eight existing use types. Uses and restrictions are defined in Appendix V2.

Part 2

Select Sites with Access to Mass Transit (2 points)

Verified by Annotated Map

For All Spaces

One of the following requirements is met:

The project is located in an area (zip or postal code) with a minimum Transit Score® of 70.
The project is located in a community where mass transportation is present and offers a minimum of 72 trips per weekday and 40 trips per weekend day with service stations within:
1. 400 m [0.25 mi] walk distance of the project boundary for bus or streetcar.
2. 800 m [0.5 mi] walk distance of the project boundary for bus rapid transit stops, light or heavy rail stations, commuter rail stations or ferry services.

Part 3

Select Sites with Pedestrian Friendly Streets (2 points)

Verified by Annotated Map

For All Spaces

One of the following requirements is met:

The project is located in an area (zip or postal code) with a minimum Walk Score® of 70.
90% of total street length within an 800 m [0.5 mi] radius of the project boundary has continuous sidewalks or all-weather pathways present on both sides.

Part 4

Select Sites with Bike Friendly Streets (2 points)

Verified by Annotated Map

For All Spaces

One of the following requirements is met:

The project is located in an area (zip or postal code) with a minimum Bike Score® of 70.
The project is located within 200 m [656 ft] walk distance of an existing bicycle network that connects riders to at least 10 use types that are within a 4.8 km [3 mi] cycling distance. Uses and restrictions are defined in Appendix V2.