Towards a Healthy Neighborhood: Recommendations for Health Assessments of Future Development in Upham's Corner

摘要: Historic growth in Boston belies dramatic gaps socio-economic status among residents and corresponding increases health disparities between low income more affluent neighborhoods. The Fairmount/Indigo Planning Initiative Corridor Plan is a renewed investment Boston’s poorest communities that may potentially tackle these inequities. plan aims to link neighborhoods are cut off from downtown the heart of city. Such rapid transit combat spatial isolation found negatively affect outcomes but similar transportation upgrades other American cities have been associated with gentrification displacement (Pollack et al, 2010). As such, plan’s impact on not so straightforward. This project focuses Upham’s Corner Station Area because it primed for some largest developments along Indigo line. While station area planning process proposal utilized community participation create holistic strategy, failed investigate effects project. Applying an ecosocial framework, my research offers improvements better takes into account potential perverse outcomes. I utilize interviews key stakeholders, case studies neighborhoods, trends median housing prices determine what stage in. then recommend conducting Health Impact Assessments (HIA) examine as provides ideal opportunity formal conduit be appropriately factored plan. Key Words: public health, urban planning, assessment, plan, gentrification, displacement, theory, development, participation. Towards a Healthy Neighborhood 4 I. Introduction Neighborhoods, processes development increasingly understood powerful determinants population (Corburn, 2009). That is, goes beyond individual risk factors, includes forces outside individual’s control such stock, transportation, job opportunities, access goods services. Differential factors contributes mightily wealthy poor (Link & Phelan, 1995). Compared whole, home According Public Commission, has higher average annual rate every selected indicators except suicide, making one unhealthiest city (BPHC, 2012). These indicators, which range asthma emergency department visits substance abuse deaths, indicative differences compared Boston. do stem solely choices instead larger systemic issues make up built environment (Krieger, 1994; Link 1995; Corburn, Defining outcome social economic conditions falls under framework. perspective examines both biological result disease outcomes, assumes distributions determined at level global 1994). In words, identifies direct correlation neighborhood, policies them, community. calls us apply framework health. One recent 5 investments commuter rail 9.2-mile line linking Downtown South Readville Hyde Park, passes through Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, city’s 2012, Redevelopment Authority (BRA) private firm Cecil Group initiated Fairmount develop short long term strategies improving capital (Fairmountplanning.org, 2014). A was conducted entire Fairmont/Indigo Line well each help nominated working advisory group (WAG). meant provide input designed maximize transport [otherwise known Transit Oriented Development (TOD)] (Gateway Corridor, 2015). goals formulate will: minimize protect assets, strengthen businesses activity, reinforce walkable new connection station, center activity (Station Plan, With expanded line, interest stop, there gap. (Frumkin 2004; Litman, However, proposed represents mitigating by recommendations (TOD), modified 6 zoning, enhanced walkability arts programs, fails incorporate how Corner. this mind, demonstrates plans ignore neighborhood’s peril, existing prime resident (Causa Justa, To show this, will begin outlining why appropriate neighborhood study. Then, literature review, further explain concepts healthy followed showing unhealthy explanation needs perspective, finally, introduce Assessment (HIA), detail necessary My analysis section look address left addressing environmental environment. Finally, Healthy Measurement Tool (HDMT) demonstrate can used serve guide Corner, throughout initiatives major cities. II. Research Design Methodology study based three rooted They are: 1) history segregation ghettoization (Medoff, Anguelovski, 2011, 2) 7 fits description early stages (Levy, 2013); 3) present according Data Collection assessment subsequent conduct future specific were derived following modes data collection