ULI New York hosts "Building Healthy Places" presentation and panel

NEW YORK Urban Land Institute New York (ULI New York) has hosted a sold-out program entitled "Building Healthy Places: Exploring the Intersection between Public Health and the Built Environment," which was held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Shearman & Sterling, LLP. The event featured a keynote presentation by Michael Horst, senior vice president, ULI. Horst introduced the pressing health challenges faced by New York and the land use choices that discourage healthy living. He presented ULI's new approach to building healthy places, as outlined in the organization's new report, 10 Principles for Building Healthy Places, which includes the following principles: * Put People First * Individuals are more likely to be active in a community designed around their needs. * Recognize the Economic Value * Healthy places can create enhanced economic value for both private and public sectors. * Empower Champions for Health * Every movement needs its champions and land use professionals can have a profound impact. * Energize Shared Spaces * Public gathering places have a direct, positive impact on human health. * Make Healthy Choices Easy * Communities should make the healthy choice the one that is SAFE—safe, accessible, fun and easy. * Ensure Equitable Access * Many segments of the population would benefit from better access to services, amenities and opportunities. * Mix It Up * A variety of land uses, building types and public spaces can be used to improve physical and social activity. * Embrace Unique Character * Places that are different, unusual or unique can be helpful in promoting physical activity. * Promote Access to Healthy Food * Because diet affects human health, access to healthy food should be considered a part of any development proposal. * Make It Active * Urban design can be employed to create an active community. Horst's presentation was followed by a dynamic discussion panel moderated by Joanna Frank, executive director at Center for Active Design, and featuring key development and community thought leaders, Megan Brothers, Director of Design & Construction at Brookfield; Peter David Cavaluzzi, FAIA, principal at EE&K, a Perkins Eastman Co.; Paul Freitag, managing director at Rose Development, Jonathan Rose Companies; Richard Sloan, Ph.D., Nathaniel Wharton professor of Behavioral Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center; and Paul Scialla, Founder at Delos Living. These industry leaders discussed real estate's emerging trend of development oriented towards health and wellness, the link between health and the built environment and the local initiatives underway that promote health and healthy places and will redefine New York's communities. One case study that demonstrates this trend discussed by the panel is Via Verde, a mixed income development in the South Bronx that offers innovative, high-quality and sustainable design, affordable housing and health-focused amenities. Via Verde, which means "green way" in Spanish, is a model for affordable, green, and healthy urban living and won ULI's Jack Kemp Workforce Housing Models of Excellence Award. The project includes 222 mixed-income residential units, 7,500 s/f of retail and community space, and 40,000 s/f of green roofs and other open space for residents. The primary goal of the $98.8 million project was to provide a mix of rental and homeownership opportunities for people at a range of income levels to create a truly mixed-income community. A second goal was to address the community's health issues, particularly rising levels of childhood asthma and obesity caused, in part, by the lack of opportunities for exercise and healthy eating.