1. Design for Health Health Impact Assessment: Threshold Analysis
Kevin Krizek

2. Characteristics of the Threshold HIA
Level III: Most specific in the suite of HIA tools provided by Design for Health.
Informed by synthesizing and digesting available research.
What does the “research tells us”
How strong/clear is that research
How can it be applied to more specific projects or plan proposals

3. Where to use in the HIA process?
Most rapidly evolving of the types of HIAs being developed
Best used later in the planning process
We are continually working to provide a product that is bullet proof in planning applications. We offer thoughts about this tool as a “teaser” about a product—in addition to the first 2 that you already heard about this morning, that will be available to be employed later in the summer.
Based on similar tenets …NEXT SLIDE

4. Structure of the Threshold HIA
Uses same categories of public health categories as other tools in the Design for Health HIA suite
Further breaks these areas down into 20 or so specific criteria
Requires specific knowledge of the plan or project (e.g., specific information or characteristics about plan element or development proposal
Scoring is based on sliding scale

5. Other efforts / comparable products
Distinguishing characteristics
-54 categories
-Based on Yes/No
-Very comprehensive
-Based on select studies
-Point based
-70 categories
-20 or so specific criteria
-Carefully digests available research
-Focuses on dimensions directly relevant to planning
Tool
-Healthy Development Tool (San Francisco)
-LEED - ND
-Design for Health
How is what DFH is doing any different?
More streamlined
Focuses on aspects of health that can be influenced by urban planning. Urban planners already undertake a wide variety of environmental impact assessments, fiscal impact assessments, visioning processes, sustainability and livability assessments. This tool provides an easy way to supplement these activities and focus attention on human health.
Informed by the research: There is lots of health research emerging these days. Multiple studies examining the same thing. Sometimes these studies contradict one another; in other cases they may suggest different variables rise in importance. So, if we are going to be doctors of urbanism, we want to be careful not to immediately latch onto the first study that documents a phenomena. We

6. Threshold Analysis (Draft)
Topic: Accessibility
Transit Service (Threshold)
Intent
Ensure adequate transit service.
Rationale
Transit service not only provides alternatives to auto-travel, but provides means of mobility for the elderly, young and/or financially disadvantaged.
Requirements
Residential components of the plan are built at an average of more than seven units per acre
Definitions
Need to consider net density.
Submission
Site plan with density calculations.
Possible Credits
1 for 7 units per residential acre; 2 for 7 units per gross acre
Credits Awarded
This is a place holder until we get a more finalized threshold analysis.

8. Threshold Analysis (Draft)
Topic: Accessibility
Transit stops (Threshold)
Intent
Ensure transit service that can be walked to conveniently.
Rationale
People are not willing to walk more than 1200 m (three-quarters of a mile) for a transit stop, on average. While some people may not be able to walk this far, the figure represents a reasonable average.
Requirements
All residential or employment areas are located within 1200 m of a transit stop.
Definitions
A transit stop is a bus or train stop with service at least every hour during the daytime on weekdays and weekends.
Submission
Site plan showing employment and residential areas and locations of proposed transit stops.
Possible Credits
1 credit for a transit stop within 1200 m; 2 credits for a train stop within 800 m or a bus stop within 400 m.*
Credits Awarded
This is a place holder until we get a more finalized threshold analysis.

9. Need an example of a map
Shows 1200 meter buffer

10. Threshold Analysis (Draft)
Topic: Food
Distance to a supermarket or fruit and vegetable shop (Threshold)
Intent
Provide access to fruits and vegetables.
Rationale
Studies show distances to supermarkets have the clearest effects on health (compared with, say, access to different kinds of restaurants).
Requirements
Supermarkets or fruit and vegetable stores within a mile of each residence.
Definitions
A supermarket or fruit and vegetable store is a farmer's market or an establishment with a NAICS code of or
Submission
Map showing location of proposal and distance to nearest supermarket or fruit and vegetable stores.
Possible Credits
2 awarded if there is a supermarket or fruit and vegetable store within a mile of each home; 1 if the distance is 2 miles
Credits Awarded
This is a place holder until we get a more finalized threshold analysis.

11. Food Stores--NAICS Code Examples
445   Food and Beverage Stores
4451    Grocery Stores
44511  Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except convenience) Stores
Convenience Stores
4452    Specialty Food Stores
Meat Markets
44522   Fish and Seafood Markets
44523   Fruit and Vegetable Markets
44529   Other Specialty Food Stores
 Baked Goods Stores
 Confectionery and Nut Stores
 All Other Specialty Food Stores
4453    Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores

12. 1200 Meters
This shows all types of retail establishments. Among those red dots, only a few of them will be supermarkets or fruit and vegetable markets (perhaps only one in this area shaded in green).

13. Threshold Analysis (Draft)
Distance from a freeway for residential uses and uses occupied by children (Threshold)
Topic: Air Quality
Intent
Prevent respiratory diseases and premature births.
Rationale
Studies show decreasing particulates, respiratory diseases and premature births with distance from major roads. Residential areas, schools and playgrounds are key environments for vulnerable groups.
Requirements
Residential areas should be more than a specified distance from a major road.
Definitions
A major road is defined as having an average annual daily traffic > 40,000, a freeway or a road with six or more lanes. Uses occupied by children include schools, day-care facilities, playgrounds and sports fields.
Submission
Comprehensive plan map or site plan with area within 200 m and 500 m from major roads marked.
Possible Credits
1 credit if all such uses are more than 200 m from a major road; 2 credits if more than 500 m.
Credits Awarded
This is a place holder until we get a more finalized threshold analysis.

14. This demonstrates a buffering concept around roads
This demonstrates a buffering concept around roads. This would, of course need only be done for MAJOR roads and would need to be a 200 m buffer (rather than a 50 one shown here)

15. Threshold Analysis (Draft)
Topic: Physical Activity
Access to playing areas, parks and trails (Threshold)
Intent
To make it easier for people to engage in a variety of activities, potentially furthering physical activity.
Rationale
Different people have different ways of being physically active; a variety of environments support such.
Requirements
Residential areas located less than 400 m (1/4 mile; 1,312 feet) of a neighborhood park, trail or open space, in order to provide options for physical activity and social interaction, particularly for children.
Definitions
To come.
Submission
Map showing proximity to open space appropriate for active outdoor play.
Possible Credits
1 credit if requirements met.
Credits Awarded
This is a place holder until we get a more finalized threshold analysis.

16. Need an example

17. Threshold Analysis (Draft)
Groundwater and drinking-water quality (Threshold)
Topic: Water Quality
Intent
Ensure safe drinking water.
Rationale
Sources of groundwater contamination include proximity to septic systems, leaking underground tanks, contamination from landfills, and other forms of polluted surface runoff (nitrogen fertilizers, mining, etc.).
Requirements
Sensitivity to, and appropriate distance away from, septic systems, leaking underground tanks, contamination from landfills, and other forms of polluted surface runoff (nitrogen fertilizers, mining, etc.).
Definitions
To come.
Submission
Documents detailing water infrastructure plans.
Possible Credits
1 if developed in a site with existing water and sewer infrastructure or where this is planned to occur with development.
Credits Awarded

18. MPCA: “What’s in my neighborhood – Minneapolis”

19. Threshold Analysis (Draft)
Score Sheet
Topic, Threshold or Association
Potential Credits
Credits Awarded
Topic: Accessibility
Transit service (Threshold)
Credits: 2
Transit stops (Threshold)
Topic: Air Quality
Distance from a freeway for residential uses and uses occupied by children (Threshold)
Credits: 1-2
Polluting uses (Association)
Air quality mitigation (Association)
Credits: 1
This is a place holder until we get a more finalized threshold analysis.

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Threshold Analysis
Next Steps
Refine available guidelines
Field test
Ensure they are user friendly and robust
Produce an available product to employ in late summer
Ann Forsyth
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