MIXED-USE
CHECKLIST
February 2014
Version 1.2
HEALTHY ACTIVE BY DESIGN MIXED-USE CHECKLIST
Strategies for creating mixed-use in your developments
The following checklist has been prepared as a tool to provide mixed-use developments that encourage and support physical
activity and health outcomes including healthy eating. The greater the number of checklist items provided within a project area or
area influenced by the project the more likely there will be healthy outcomes. The best outcomes will come from working
collaboratively with government agencies, land developers and the community as each stakeholder group has an important role
to play in the delivery of healthy communities. The checklist items should be considered to fulfill the objectives of the strategies listed
under each design feature.
Note: All distances and catchments refer to measurements using actual distances (service areas along the street network) rather
than linear calculations (as the crow-flies)
Strength of evidence base:
The HABD design strategies are rated according to the strength of the supporting research evidence. It distinguishes between
strategies based on theory and existing practice and those grounded in evidence-based research on the relationship between the
built environment and physical activity. Strategies with strong underlying research / evidence base are known to likely increase
physical activity. Recommendations supported by emerging evidence or best practice may be just as effective as measures
grounded in strong evidence, but have not yet been researched or quantified to the same degree. An icon system is used to assist
the user in identifying the strength of evidence underlying each strategy.
*** Strong Evidence
Indicates strategies supported by a pattern of evidence from cross-sectional studies and review level evidence. The strength of the
research allows us to conclude there is a strong relationship between the suggested environmental intervention and the
behavioural outcome.
** Emerging Evidence
Indicates design strategies supported by an emerging pattern of research. Existing studies have given reason to believe that the
suggested environmental intervention will likely lead to increased physical activity, but the research is not yet definitive. (Perhaps no
longitudinal studies and/or review level data).
* Suggested Practices
Indicates design strategies without a formal evidence base. However, theory, common understandings of behaviour and
experience from existing practice indicate that these measures will likely increase physical activity.
Healthy Active By Design
Mixed-use Checklist
1
MIXED-USE
OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES
Objective
Develop mixed-use walkable neighbourhoods with groupings of destinations that meet the needs of the community and offer a
wide choice of housing, retail, shops and services, sport and recreation, local employment and educational opportunities and
associated community and commercial facilities inclusive of travel networks.
Strategy
Evidence
Checklist Statement
Yes
No
N/A
Strength
Access to mixed-use centres
1
Develop a system of compact mixed-use walkable neighbourhoods with groupings of key destination
***
points that meet the diverse needs of the community.
1A
Are groupings of key destination points provided within a 400-800m walk of the majority (i.e. 60%) of residential dwellings within the neighbourhood?
Provide a mix of destinations
2
Ensure the activity centre offers a mix of destinations or uses to provide
***
opportunities for activity at different periods of the day and night.
2A
Does the centre zoning, town planning scheme, structure plan or land use planning policy provide/offer a broad mix of different destinations, including, retail, commercial, recreational and community land uses and facilities?
2B
Are community activities co-located within the centre?
2C Have major civic, cultural and community facilities (such as council offices, performing arts centres, tertiary institutions, hospitals, sports and leisure facilities) been considered for inclusion encouraged to be located inappropriately sized centres?
2
Healthy Active By Design
Mixed-use Checklist
Strategy
Evidence
Strength
Checklist Statement
Yes
No
N/A
2D
Have civic, cultural and community facilities (such as council offices, performing arts centres, tertiary institutions, hospitals, sports and leisure facilities) been considered for inclusion in appropriately sized centres?
2E
Does the centre contain a public plaza of open space that allows for diverse functions and social activities to promote walking and cycling and as places for people to gather and promote opportunities for social and community interactions?
2F
Does the local centre neighbourhood contain, have provision for (as a minimum requirement) a small convenience shop, a public transport stop and a post box?
2G Does the local centre neighbourhood contain, have provision for (as a minimum requirement) a small convenience shop, a public transport stop and a post box?
2H
Does the proportion of mixed land use floor space within activity centres address those outlined in the state policy and provided for in State Planning Policy 4.2 Activity Centres for Perth and Peel?
Access to fresh and healthy food
3
Provide fresh and healthy food stores to help promote healthy eating.
*
3A
Are fresh and healthy food stores provided as part of the land use / destination mix within the centre?
3B
Are effective governance processes and policies are in place to ensure the provision of a diverse range of retailers, inclusive of fresh and healthy food options? Is there a competitive and accessible positioning for a diverse and balanced range of food outlets (i.e. better product mix at centres) including fresh and healthy food stores or markets within the centres?
3C Are incentives in place to encourage businesses to provide fresh food produce?
3D
Are health practitioners engaged with the design and planning process to support the importance of environments that promote healthy eating?
3E
Are there effective governance processes and policies in place e.g. a place manager to co-ordinate the use of centre facilities promoting a diverse range of users? For example using car parking facilities as growers markets on the weekend.
3F
Are incentives in place to allow mobile food vendors and other innovative food retail and distribution initiatives?
Healthy Active By Design
Mixed-use Checklist
3
Strategy
Evidence
Strength
Checklist Statement
3G
3H
Yes
No
N/A
Have strategies been put in place to establish and allow for farmers markets or public markets to be run within the town centre? Is the space and design suitable to accommodate these uses?
Is there clear guidance within local planning policy that considers the restriction of fast-food takeaway restaurants where vulnerable groups such as children and young people are located e.g. school, daycare centres and
schools? For example do not locate fast food and take away restaurants within walkable catchment areas (800m radius) around schools or along major routes to schools.
Incentives to deliver a mixed-use early in the development phase of new neighbourhoods
4
Put in place mechanisms and incentives to create mixed-use areas and
***
destinations (i.e. shops and services) early in the development phases of new
neighbourhoods.
4A
Have mechanisms and /or incentives to encourage the development of a mixed-use centre early in the development stage been put in place? Consider a range of initiatives such as a place manager, local policy and contractual agreements, density bonuses, plot ratio bonuses cash in lieu contributions.
Density to support mixed-use
5
Provide for diverse lot sizes, including smaller lots capable of supporting higher density developments,
***
especially in and around town and neighbourhood centres, to support self-contained mixed-use centres
that will facilitate an increase in the use of public or active transport.
5A
Does the master plan, structure plan, detailed area plan, guide plan, subdivision plan, or strata title plan provide for a diversity of lot sizes, including small lots to encourage increased residential densities?
5B
Are appropriate incentives in place to encourage innovative land development within existing mixed-use centres to encourage higher residential densities?
5C Does the planning for the area conform to the density targets established by the state government within Directions 2031, Sub-regional strategies and regional structure plans?
4
Healthy Active By Design
Mixed-use Checklist