Title
Virginia Walkability Action Institute
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
This briefing will provide information about the Virginia Walkability Action Institute (VWAI), sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health. A multidisciplinary team of staff from the City and Hampton Health Department participated in the institute to develop an actionable plan for improving walkability in our community. The walkability institute was set in a framework of equity, equality, and justice, and to discuss how the design of communities influences the health and mobility of our population.
A pilot neighborhood is being recommended to test some of the strategies learned at the VWAI. In order to recommend an area, staff has identified our ‘Communities of Concern’, which are census tracts that have an average income below the Hampton Roads average, a minority Population above the Hampton Roads average, more carless households than the Hampton Roads average, female headed households above the Hampton Roads average, and an elderly population above the Hampton Roads average. This indicators are used to identify areas that can benefit from being more walkable.
Discussion:
This project has the ability to improve walkability in the community while testing new methods for implementation.
Impact:
This project supports Council's placemaking initiative
Recommendation:
Rec
Seeking approval of Council to move forward with recommended pilot neighborhood.