Healthy Built & Natural Environments
Significance
Healthy built and natural environments for all people that include mixes of land use that support jobs, housing, amenities and services; trees and forest canopy; clean air, water, soil and sediment.
Infrastructure impacts physical and mental health; it can be an asset or barrier to prospering in the State of Washington. Identifying how the built environment supports residents in improving quality of life, accessing jobs and housing is critical for promoting a healthy environment for all residents.
Mixes of Land Use
Understanding the use of buildable lands throughout the State provides insight into land use. Identifying whether the State’s built environment supports resident access to necessities (such as jobs and housing) and infrastructure (such as parks and tree canopy) is important because it helps us understand if the State is a place where everybody can thrive.
Tree & Forest Canopy
Vegetation, such as tree cover, is an important community feature that contributes to the neighborhood greenness that allows residents respite from the concrete-and-mortar built environment. Neighborhood greenness is positively associated with physical activity and mental health. This key feature contributes to a thriving environment in Washington.
Exposure to Toxins
Exposure to pollution increases the risk of health problems, such as asthma. Although more pollution exists in urban areas in general, identifying areas with above average pollution can help guide investment of State resources to mitigate disparate impact of exposure.