Res No 067-17-14868RESOLUTION NO. 067-17-14868
Resolution supporting the implementation of Active Design Miami: Design
and Policy Strategies for Healthier Communities as developed by the
Miami Center for Architecture and Design (MCAD); and directing staff to
incorporate strategies into planning efforts as feasible or appropriate.
WHEREAS, today's global epidemic of chronic diseases is driven by a range of factors
including the powerful impact of the built environment; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade area is experiencing many common health concerns,
including rising obesity and chronic diseases and high rates of depression and other mental health
issues; and
WHEREAS, to reverse negative health trends, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recommends that communities focus on supporting healthy eating and creating
environments that encourage physical activity; and
WHEREAS, planners, architects, local governments, and public health professionals,
working collaboratively, have an essential role in addressing the rapidly growing epidemics of
chronic diseases, especially in light of mounting scientific evidence demonstrating the impact of
environmental design on physical activity and healthy eating; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Health was awarded a grant by the CDC, and the
Florida Department of Health contracted the Miami Center for Architecture & Design (a 50lc3) in
October 2015 to create Active Design strategies for use by Miami-Dade County and cities; and
WHEREAS, after a year-long collaborative, open process which included Miami-Dade
County and 20 local municipalities, Active Design Miami: Design & Policy Strategies for Healthier
Communities was developed and includes strategies suited to Miami-Dade's context and needs; and
WHEREAS, Active Design is an approach to shaping communities that leverages
evidence-based urban design and architecture solutions and strategies to improve public health by
influencing day-to-day behavior that directly impact community wellbeing; and
WHEREAS, Active Design Miami provide architects, planners, urban designers, parks
departments, transportation officials,. and local governments with a manual of strategies for creating
programs, buildings, streets, and urban spaces that encourage healthier lifestyles, based on the latest
academic research and best practices in the field; and
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami has demonstrated its commitment to creating an
active city through urban design by including mixed-use zoning districts in its Land Development
Code, preparing a "Complete Streets" manual and an Intermodal Transportation Plan, and
developing a Parks Master Plan; and
Pg. 2 of Res. No. 067-17-14868
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the City Commission of the City of South Miami supports the implementation of
Active Design Miami: Design and Policy Strategies for Healthier Communities as developed by the
Miami Center for Architecture and Design; arid directs staff to incorporate strategies into planning
and programming functions, as feasible or appropriate.
Section 2. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon being adopted.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th , day of April ,2017. ------------------
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Commission Vote: 5-0
Mayor Stoddard: Yea
Vice Mayor Welsh: Yea
Commissioner Edmond: Yea
Commissioner Harris: Yea
Commissioner Liebman: Yea
.r;n South~iami
THE crr(oF PLEASANT LIVING
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To: The Honorable Mayor & Members of the City Commission
VIA: Steven Alexander, City Manager
FROM: Jane K. Tompkins, Planning and Zoning Director
Agenda Item No.: 6'" DATE: April 4, 2017
SUBJECT:
A Resolution supporting the implementation of Active Design Miami: Design and Policy
Strategies for healthier communities as developed by the Miami Center for Architecture and
Design (MCAD); and directing staff to incorporate strategies into planning efforts as feasible
and appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
Active Design is an approach to shaping communities th~t leverages urban design,
transportation, architecture and policy solutions to improve public health. It recognizes that our
buildings, streets, public spaces and neighborhoods influence day-to-day behavior, and impact
community well-being. The concept originated in New York City where a multi-disciplinary
collaboration developed strategies to create a more, livable city, where residents can easily
incorporate physical activity into their lifestyles thereby improving their health and well-being.
, ,
With funding from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Miami Center for
Architecture & Design has created "Active Design Miami" (ADM), design and policy strategies
for Miami-Dade County and its communities. ADM includes sixty-eight (68) strategies organized
into four key areas of opportunity: parks and open spaces, development patterns,
transportation and mobility, and buildings. Communities that support the ADM will get
assistance in assessing their current policies and programs, and incorporating appropriate
strategies into work plans and regulations. The ADM team will also assist in creating indicators
to determine the impact of the strategies.
ANALYSIS:
Active Design Miami supports many of the programs, policies and initiatives currently in place.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Commission approve the resolution supporting the implementation
of Active Design Miami.
Attachments:
• Draft resolution
• Actlve'Design Miami: Municipal Planning & Assessment Tool
ACTIVE DESIGN MIAMI:
Design & Policy Strategies
for Healthier Communities
Municipal Planning & Assessment Tool
Use checkboxes provided by each strategy to indicate whether it is existing,
feasible, or not feasible.
Existing: currently included in municipal plans or ordinances.
Feasible: does not currently exist but is possible or desirable (may be long term).
Not feasible: does not apply or is not desirable within the municipality.
I
Parks & Open Space
OQJECTIVE
Create an easily accessible netwo rk of spaces foral! community
members, withinacLose distance of residences.
PARKS & OPEN SPACES DESIGN STRATEGIES
Not
Existing Feasible Feasible Notes
0 D D 2.1 Ensureallresidents haveaccesstoaparkandl orgreen
spacewithinaquartermileoftheirhome.
0 D D 22 Design activity spaces that meetthe nee ds of people of all
ages and abi lities.
D D D 2.3 Expand opportun itiesforphysicalactivitythrough a range
ofaffordab Ie, easi Iyaccessi ble recreation facilities.
0 D D 2.4 Ensu re that parks, plazas, and playgrounds are easily
accessibleto pedestrians and cyclists.
D D D 2.5 Provide amenities-such as trees, lighting, waterfountains,
and seating-thatenable peo pie to e njoyspacesfor 10 nger
periodsoftime.
D D D 2.6 Emphasizenaturalelementsand landscaping, including
streettrees.
D 0 0 2.71 ncorporate avarietyofsurfaces andtextu res into
children's playspaces, includingcolorfulground markings
and natural elements.
D 0 D 2.8 Design and maintain parks and openspaceto promote
safety.
D D D 2.9Supportthedevelopmentofcommunitygardens.
0 D 0 2.101 nstall d rinki ngfountai ns andwaterbottle refi II
stations.
D D D 2.11 Activatewaterfrontsp'aceswith i n neighborhoods and
parkstosupportandencouragewateractivitiessuchas
kayaking, paddle boarding, etc. forall.
D 0 0 2.12 Provide'amen itiestowelcome pet owners.
www.activedesignmiami.com
PARKS & OPEN SPACES POLICY STRATEGIES
Not
Existing -Feasible Feasible 2.13 Partnerwithorganizationstosponsorand maintain Notes
0 D 0 greenspaces and gardens.
2.14 Encourage shared use agreements that offer school
0 0 0 facilities as places for play and physical activity outside
of school hours.
2.15Create oramend polici esto facilitate the activation of
0 0 0 waterfrontspaceswithin parks and openspaces.
PARKS & OPEN SPACES PROGRAMMING
STRATEGIES
2.160fferspacesand activitiesthatrespondto unique local
0 D 0 and cultural preferences.
0 0 0
2.17 Facilitate access to healthyfoodoptions in parksand
openspace.
0 D 0
2.18 Program group activitiesforallages and abilities that
promote social interaction and engagement
D 0 D
2.19 Offerfree or low-costfitness programs in parksand
pub licspacesto encourage p nysicalactivity.
2.20 Su p porto pen streets initiatives and tern porarystreet
0 D D closures-such as playstreets and "ciclovia"-for
communitygatheringsand activities.
www.activedesignmiami.org
ilia!
Existing Feasible Feasible
000
000
000
000
o 0 ·0
000
DOD
000
Development Patterns
OBJECTIVE
Ensure connectivity, ease of access, and safe use for residents
of all ages and abilities. This objective is closely tied to Active
Design Miami's o~erall goal.
DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS DESIGN
STRATEGIES
3.1 Encourage a diverse mix of land uses atall scales of
development.
3.2 Encourage transit-oriented develop ment at
appropriate densities to create vibrant, mixed-use,
walkable communities that maximize the value of public
transit.
3.3 Plant trees to provide shade, enhance neighborhoods,
and promote social connectedness.
3.4 Design neighborhoods to prioritize the pedestrian
experience.
3.5 Apply context-sensitive design solutions to preserve
and reflect the character of existi"ng historic
neighborhoods.
3.6 Display maps and wayfindingfor local fresh food
options, water fountains, parks and open spaces, near-
shore water features, such
as coral reefs.
DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS POLICY
STRATEGIES
3.7 Plan intergenerational communities to heLp people of
aLL ages thrive.
3.8 Update zoning and buildingcodesto maximize land
use mix, support appropriate deveLopment densities, and
enhance pedestrian connectivitY.
www.act:ivedesignmiami.org
Notes
Not
Existing Feasible Feasible Notes
0 0 0 3.9 Preserve housing affordability and encourage
inclusive, mixed-income neighborhoods.
0 D D 3.10 Promote infill development in urban core
communities and deter expansion beyond the urban
development bou ndary.
0 0 D 3.11 Update codes to reduce the impact of parking
requirements.
www.activedesignmiami.org
Transportation & Mobility
OBJECTIVE
Prioritize people over automobiles by creating well-
connected, safe, and easy-to-use use transportation options.
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY DESIGN
STRATEGIES
Not
Existing Feasible Feasible Notes
0 0 0 4.1 Encourage walking by incorporating aesthetic and
visually interesting elements into streets and sidewalks.
0 0 0 4.2 Create new and enhance existing pedestrian plazas.
0 0 0 4.3 Enhance bike mobility by improving bicycle
infrastructure, including ensuring bicycle paths, lanes and
tracks are interconnected.
D 0 0 4.4 Facilitate biking by encouraging ample bicycle
parking.
0 0 0 4.5 Provide facilities at or near rail and major transit
stations that assist commuters in finalizing their trip.
D 0 0 4.6 Provide schools with easy access to transit routes.
D 0 0 4.7 Encourage walking by providing ample sidewalk space
and safe crosswalks.
0 0 0 4.8 Enhance safety and walkability by incorporating
traffic calming elements to reduce driving speeds.
0 0 0 4.9 Provide comfortable bus stops with benches and
protective shelters.
0 '0 0 4.10 Use maps and wayfind,ing to facilitate pedestrian and
bicycle access to healthy amenities.
www.actlvedesignmiami.org.
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY POLICY
Not
STRATEGIES.
Existing Feasible Feasible Notes
0 0 0 4.11 Implement Complete Streets policies.
0 0 0 4.12 Develop community and neighborhood-scale
master plans that prioritize specific community mobility
needs.
0 0 0 4.13 Incentivize commutingvia public transit.
0 0 0 4.14 Reduce parking requirements for walkable, bikeable,
and transit-accessible sites.
0 0 0 4.15 EXpand access to BikeShare.
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY
. PROGRAMMING STRATEGIES·
tJ 0 0 4.16 Encourage and facilitate "walking school buses" and
safe routes to schools' programs.
0 0 0 4.17 Incentivize carpool and rideshare programs.
D 0 0 4.18 Promote and use temporary demonstration
installations to evaluate project design.
www.activedesignmiami.org
• Buildings
----
OBJECTIVE
Maximize opportunities for physical activity and social
connection Within and around buildings.
BUILDING DESIGN STRATEGIES
Not
Existing Feasible Feasible Notes
D D 0 5.1 Maximize accessibility and visibility of stairs;
D D 0 5.2 Create attractive, visually appealing stairs ..
D D 0 5.3 Provide convenient, attractive circulation paths.
D 0 0 5.4 Design sidewalk and fa~ade elements that improve
the pedestrian experience .
D 0 0 . 5.5 Orient buiLding entrances and circulation pathways to
prioritize active transportation options.
D D 0 5.6 Provide secure, accessible indoor bicycle storage
facilities in both commercial and residential buildings.
D 0 0 5.7 Allocate space and provide easy access to on-site
exercise facilities and play areas in commercial and
residential buildings.
D D 0 5.8 Provide on-site gardening opportunities.
D 0 0 5.9 Provide healthy vending machines and water
fountains and refill stations with fresh, clean water.
D D 0 5.10 Provide accessible and weLL-equipped kitchens and
eating spaces to promote healthy eating.
www.activedesignmiami.org
BUILDING POLICY STRATEGIES
Not
Existing Feasible Feasible Notes
0 D D 5.11 Incentivize the development of visible, attractive
stairs.
0 D D 5.12 Provide incentives and update codes for on-site bike
facilities, such as parking.
0 D D 5.13 Develop incentives and/or update codes to support
on-site gardening ..
D 0 0 5.14 Develop incentives and/or update codes for on-site
recreation space.
BUILDING PROGRAMMING STRATEGIES
D 0 0 5.15 Post prominent and clear signs that encourage
stair use.
D 0 0 5.16 Provide .comfortable spaces for lactation supp'ort.
D 0 D 5.17 Inc6rporate spaces for farmer's markets and small
produce stands.
0 D 0 5.18 Increase access to change rooms or showers for
active commuters.
0 D D 5.19 Select healthy food vendors for on-site
restaurants and vending machines.
D D 0 5.20 Offer onsite active programming and maintain
spaces for community and health activities, such qS
fitness classes, walking clubs, cooking classes, and
cultural events.
www.activedesignmiami.org