Urban design, land use, and transportation policy can all affect the overall physical and mental health of communities. Planners impact public health through decisions that affect air quality, housing density, transportation options, land use, access to parks and green space, and more. Understanding public health can help planners make more equitable decisions that improve the lives of families and the sustainability of urban communities.
All Public Health Courses
US Disability Access Laws for Planners
Instructor: Jonathan Katz-Ouziel
Explore the key disability rights laws that shape planners' work — including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, the Fair Housing Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — to understand their core provisions.
Walkable City 3: The Safe Walk (A)
Instructor: Jeff Speck
Pedestrian deaths are up 78% since 2009. While car use and size are long-term issues, safer street design — like narrower lanes and two-way roads — can reduce speeding now.
Equitable Transit Oriented Development
Instructor: John Hersey
Equitable transit oriented development (eTOD) prioritizes inclusive community development in multi-modal regional growth.