Health impact assessment: Using a healthy places ordinance audit to design healthy communities

Aerotropolis Atlanta is a mixed-use brownfield redevelopment project taking shape on the grounds of a former automotive assembly plant, located between the world's busiest passenger airport and the central business district of the city of Hapeville, GA, at the confluence of two counties and five cities. Using a process known as Health Impact Assessment, or HIA, CQGRD looked at the potential impacts that the project could have on health for a diverse residential population, local businesses and workers, and future visitors to the site. Pursuant to stakeholder input and an existing conditions review, the HIA considered multimodal transportation environments, impact on economic opportunities and services, impact on community preservation and revitalization, and impact resulting from environmental exposures were selected as potentially impacted determinants of a healthful community, as well as several overarching issues regarding management of the airport area and multiple jurisdictions. Researchers developed and tested a Healthy Places Audit tool (HPA) to assess local zoning codes and transportation plans, comparing existing ordinances against ideal legislation. Site redevelopment plans were assessed in relation to the legislative environment in which they were situated. Researchers used the HPA results and a literature review to produce findings and recommendations to maximize positive health impacts and eliminate or minimize negative impacts. This work demonstrates how HIA and the HPA tool can engage public officials and private development companies to embrace health in their planning and design decisions.