Design for Active Living

Active living is a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines. An active living community is designed to provide opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities to engage in routine daily physical activity. Available state data for Forsyth County reveals that only 42% of residents meet the recommended level of physical activity of 30 minutes or more per day for five or more days per week.

An emerging body of research points to connections between community design and community health. The mix of land uses, the density of development and the physical layout of our communities can promote or restrict active living and healthy development. Communities that are designed so that residents can walk, bicycle or take transit to destinations provide opportunities to incorporate physical activity into daily life.