Healthy Environments in Transit-Oriented Developments: Rationalizing the Planning of Healthy Urban Communities in the Philippine Context

Abstract

Urban sprawl is known for its environmental and social impacts, such as increasing intensities of traffic and pollution, and disparity in equitability of key public services, respectively. Theories and applications of transit-oriented developments (TODs) have been developed worldwide and are effective for reducing and mitigating these impacts. TODs have managed to integrate transit areas into the urban fabric while promoting active transit, healthy transportation modes, and improved quality of spaces. These outcomes are consistent with values of Healthy Cities Initiatives (HCI) in showing the potential of cities to become places for integrating physical and social spaces, public and active transportation opportunities, and a healthier environment. Using a previous tool for planning TODs, the TOD Suitability Index (TSI), it was integrated with HCI concepts to facilitate planning decisions with HCI concepts. The Healthy Urban Communities planning concept is the goal for urban areas to achieve the reduction of urban sprawl effects and improve the health of its residents. This has led to the integration of transit-oriented planning techniques with HCI that can enable policymakers, and stakeholders (lay-people to the planning and design professions) to plan urban communities that are pedestrian-friendly, less dependent on private transport, conducive for physical activity or exercise, healthy, accessible, and inclusive.