Building In Healthy Infill

Infill development – the development of vacant or underutilized parcels within urban centers and rural hubs – is increasingly seen as a critical solution to accommodate the additional housing, transit, and other infrastructure needs of a growing population. 

When done well, infill also has the potential to improve public health outcomes. Communities can benefit from more walkable and connected neighborhoods, better access to transit, improved air quality, greater access to daily needs and services, and quality, affordable housing.

ChangeLab Solutions developed Building In Healthy Infill to provide an overview of the four core issues that are of critical concern to creating healthy infill: (1) transportation; (2) air quality; (3) access to daily needs and services; and (4) quality, affordable housing. This guide also includes practice tips and strategies for planners and public health advocates to encourage healthy infill. It further offers examples of general plan policies that support healthy infill in a diversity of communities throughout the state of California.