Utilizing community members in the land use planning process to advance strategies to improve a community's health

As communities understand and confront the impacts of their growth and development patterns on residents' health, the land use planning process offers a unique opportunity to bring together diverse partners and advance strategies to improve community health. This session will describe the experiences of the residents and public-private partners in the Port Towns, four small urban communities in Prince George's County, Maryland, that joined together to put health considerations at the center of land use planning while linking the effort to a larger community health initiative. The four municipalities are located in Prince George's County, Maryland which borders Washington, DC and show demographics and social determinants of health similar to those of underserved, inner city areas. The towns are comprised predominantly of African American and Latino families. The session will describe how the effort engaged a broad cross-section of community stakeholders and political leaders, collaborated with a private healthcare company, and prepared residents—including youth—to advocate at the County level for community improvements that foster smart growth. The presentation will address the role of community members in getting a sector plan developed through community-based charettes and testimony by residents which resulted in the county council's approval of the plan which incorporates health and wellness into recommended policies for 20 years of planning and land use. The session will identify the multi-faceted commitments needed to implement urban design and zoning tools in tandem with holistic health and wellness goals while collaborating across sectors and disciplines.