Preventing Chronic Disease | “Everyone Should Be Able to Choose How They Get Around”: How Topeka, Kansas, Passed a Complete Streets Resolution - CDC
“Everyone Should Be Able to Choose How They Get Around”: How Topeka, Kansas, Passed a Complete Streets Resolution
Elizabeth A. Dodson, PhD, MPH; Marvin Langston, MPH; Lauren C. Cardick, MPH, MSW; Nancy Johnson; Paula Clayton; Ross C. Brownson, PhD
Suggested citation for this article: Dodson EA, Langston M, Cardick LC, Johnson N, Clayton P, Brownson RC. “Everyone Should Be Able to Choose How They Get Around”: How Topeka, Kansas, Passed a Complete Streets Resolution. Prev Chronic Dis 2014;11:130292. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd11.130292
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Abstract
Background
Regular physical activity can help prevent chronic diseases, yet only half of US adults meet national physical activity guidelines. One barrier to physical activity is a lack of safe places to be active, such as bike paths and sidewalks. Complete Streets, streets designed to enable safe access for all users, can help provide safe places for activity.
Regular physical activity can help prevent chronic diseases, yet only half of US adults meet national physical activity guidelines. One barrier to physical activity is a lack of safe places to be active, such as bike paths and sidewalks. Complete Streets, streets designed to enable safe access for all users, can help provide safe places for activity.
Community Context
This community case study presents results from interviews with residents and policymakers of Topeka, Kansas, who played an integral role in the passage of a Complete Streets resolution in 2009. It describes community engagement processes used to include stakeholders, assess existing roads and sidewalks, and communicate with the public and decision-makers.
This community case study presents results from interviews with residents and policymakers of Topeka, Kansas, who played an integral role in the passage of a Complete Streets resolution in 2009. It describes community engagement processes used to include stakeholders, assess existing roads and sidewalks, and communicate with the public and decision-makers.
Methods
Key informant interviews were conducted with city council members and members of Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods in Topeka to learn how they introduced a Complete Streets resolution and the steps they took to ensure its successful passage in the City Council. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by using focused-coding qualitative analysis.
Key informant interviews were conducted with city council members and members of Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods in Topeka to learn how they introduced a Complete Streets resolution and the steps they took to ensure its successful passage in the City Council. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by using focused-coding qualitative analysis.
Outcome
Results included lessons learned from the process of passing the Complete Streets resolution and advice from participants for other communities interested in creating Complete Streets in their communities.
Results included lessons learned from the process of passing the Complete Streets resolution and advice from participants for other communities interested in creating Complete Streets in their communities.
Interpretation
Lessons learned can apply to other communities pursuing Complete Streets. Examples include clearly defining Complete Streets; educating the public, advocates, and decision-makers about Complete Streets and how this program enhances a community; building a strong and diverse network of supporters; and using stories and examples from other communities with Complete Streets to build a convincing case.
Lessons learned can apply to other communities pursuing Complete Streets. Examples include clearly defining Complete Streets; educating the public, advocates, and decision-makers about Complete Streets and how this program enhances a community; building a strong and diverse network of supporters; and using stories and examples from other communities with Complete Streets to build a convincing case.
Author Information
Corresponding Author: Elizabeth A. Dodson, PhD, MPH, Research Assistant Professor, Brown School and Prevention Research Center in St Louis, Washington University in St. Louis, 621 Skinker Blvd, St Louis, MO 63130. Telephone: 314-935-0124. E-mail: edodson@wustl.edu.
Author Affiliations: Marvin Langston, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri; Lauren C. Cardick, Ross C. Brownson, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, Missouri; Nancy Johnson, Heartland Healthy Neighborhood, Topeka, Kansas; Paula Clayton, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, Kansas.
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