Political Exercise: Active Living, Public Policy, and the Built Environment

Urban planners, public health scholars, and government officials recognize the public health benefits of increasing physical activity in city dwellers. Lawrence D. Brown's book "Political Exercise" presents five case studies of cities that have promoted active living with varying success, highlighting the political strategies necessary to implement policies that support active living.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Urban planners, public health scholars, and government officials are well aware of the numerous public health benefits of providing city dwellers with more opportunities to lead physically active lifestyles. Furthermore, "active living," such as walking and cycling, brings about a host of advantages, including environmental sustainability, support for local businesses, and reduced traffic congestion. Despite the widespread consensus that active living is both achievable and valuable, implementing effective best practices remains a challenge.

In his book, Political Exercise, Lawrence D. Brown presents five case studies of cities that have pursued active living initiatives with varying degrees of success through diverse approaches. He delves into how and why the process of transforming a call for public intervention into projects, programs, and policies inevitably becomes political. Brown argues that for policies supporting active living to be successfully implemented, proponents must foster a sense of ownership among communities regarding recommended changes in the built environment. They must also navigate the public health agenda through a network of public and private organizations and secure committed political champions.

At the intersection of public health and urban planning, Political Exercise provides a valuable framework for scholars, policy makers, and reformers to more effectively address both the rationales behind active living and the political strategies that drive change. By examining these case studies, readers gain insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with promoting active living in cities, and can develop strategies to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable, community-driven outcomes.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231173506