reply 1
My specific neighborhood is a rural neighborhood known to locals as the “West End”.
There is a speed camera two blocks from my home. This camera has slowed down traffic significantly since it was installed multiple years ago. Before that, I had witnessed two different traffic accidents that caused three deaths.
One of our elementary schools in this area was recently demolished. The growth of Davenport Iowa has started new schools needed in newer neighborhoods, and funding issues pushed a vote to close three primary grade schools (Monroe Elementary being one of them). The previous year's students are now being bussed to new schools dividing them from their friends, forcing them to adjust to a new environment, and overcrowding the schools left standing.
There are taverns about every two blocks from my home. Within walking distance, you can wet the pallet at a variety of aesthetic levels from some facilities one might call a slum (going slumming is a thing around here) and some nicer facilities that not only serve drinks but food as well.
NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURES TABLE (Rural/Suburban)
NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURES
POTENTIAL HEALTH IMPACTS
HOW TO MITIGATE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES
Speed Camera
Positive: Slows down traffic and makes people pay attention to their speeds.
The city should show the reduction in the number of automobile accidents in the neighborhood since the installation of the cameras to prove that they work.
Negative: Causing some people to question its legality and challenging the city and citations.
NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURES TABLE (Urban)
NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURES
POTENTIAL HEALTH IMPACTS
HOW TO MITIGATE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES
Excessive Taverns in the neighborhood
Positive: Jobs are available to local neighborhood residents. Adults have an outlet and somewhere to go for entertainment.
The city should evoke rules about where taverns can be in proximity to other taverns. They already hold them accountable with Dramshop rules that penalize them for the actions of others who consumed alcohol on their property. They just recently took the liquor license away from a location due to the excessive violence and instances that were occurring there.
Negative: Taverns attract unsavory characters and cause some people to turn into them as well. Drinking and driving is an issue and at any given moment someone could be caught in the crossfire of an intoxicated person behind the wheel.
reply 2
art 1: Brainstorm Neighborhood Features
Living in Los Angeles, CA, my neighborhood is definitely urban, with its bustling streets, diverse population, and abundance of amenities. When considering how these features affect my health, I can identify several important factors.
Positive Features:
- Access to Public Parks: Fortunately, we have several public parks nearby, providing opportunities for exercise, relaxation, and community interaction, which are crucial for physical and mental well-being.
- Cultural Diversity: Los Angeles is renowned for its cultural diversity, and my neighborhood is a melting pot of different cultures. This diversity enriches my life by exposing me to new perspectives, traditions, and cuisines, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural appreciation.
Negative Features:
- Traffic Congestion: The infamous LA traffic is a constant source of stress and frustration. Spending hours stuck in traffic not only wastes time but also exposes me to air pollution, which can have detrimental effects on my respiratory health.
- Limited Green Spaces: Despite the presence of parks, there's still a scarcity of green spaces in my neighborhood. This lack of greenery restricts opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, contributing to feelings of stress and isolation.
Part 2: My Neighborhood Features Grid
NEIGHBORHOOD Features: TABLE (Urban)
NEIGHBORHOOD FEATURES
POTENTIAL HEALTH IMPACTS
HOW TO MITIGATE NEGATIVE OUTCOMES
Access to public parks
promotes involvement with the community and physical exercise.
putting plans into action to preserve and grow green areas, such as adding additional rooftop gardens or pocket parks.
Cultural Diversity
increases my mental health by exposing me to a variety of perspectives and experiences.
promoting community gatherings and cultural exchange initiatives to help locals understand and appreciate one another.
Traffic Congestion
exposes me to air pollution and raises my stress levels.
boosting the use of public transit, carpooling, and encouraging non-traditional forms of mobility, including walking or cycling. Making infrastructure investments to support electric cars can also reduce emissions.
Limited Green Spaces
restricts options for leisure and outdoor enjoyment, which exacerbates feelings of loneliness and stress.
putting into practice urban greening efforts to expand the availability of green space, such as community gardening programs and tree planting campaigns. Furthermore, promote more stringent laws governing urban growth in order to protect the current green spaces.
Health determinants, which have an everyday impact on many aspects of wellbeing, greatly influence my quality of life. For instance, socioeconomic position has a major impact on opportunities and resource availability, which in turn has a major impact on health outcomes (Adler & Stewart, 2010). Furthermore, there is a clear correlation between physical and mental health and the built environment, which includes elements like green spaces and transportation infrastructure (Sallis et al., 2016). Enacting laws that promote the use of electric vehicles, enhance public transportation, and provide remote work opportunities might lessen traffic jams and the associated health hazards. Furthermore, by addressing the shortage of green space and encouraging outdoor activities, sponsoring urban greening projects like tree planting campaigns and the construction of pocket parks will improve community health by addressing problems like stress, anxiety, and obesity. These approaches emphasize how crucial it is to address health factors in order to improve general wellbeing and quality of life.
