China is experiencing unprecedented rates of urbanization that has augmented economic growth, but also increased obesity, pollution, and chronic diseases that pose serious public health, environmental, and economic challenges. Unsustainable development patterns contribute to these consequences. How can we best mitigate the negative impacts of such rapid urbanization? In the West, the built environment is known to impact walkability and “health.” How is China’s built environment impacting walkability? What is its current “State of Place?” This presentation will share preliminary findings from my Fulbright work on walkability in Shanghai and explore best practices for developing sustainable and healthy places.

1. Walkability and the Triple Bo3om Line+ in the US & China
Mariela Alfonzo, Ph.D.
Fulbright Senior Research Scholar, Shanghai, China
Founder, State of Place™
President, Urban Imprint
Assistant Research Professor, NYU-Poly
www.stateofplace.org

8. $

10. $

11. $

12. SHARE OF
TRIPS BY BIKE
18B
SQ M
2000 – 2007
80%
1986
1982
housing construction
GATED
Communities
2009
BUILT OUT AREA
= 3,428
DENSITY
162%
67%
2010
= 1M
1990 – 2004

13. ?

14. X

16. X

17. VMT in the US,
1971-2012
Mode Split in the US,
1960-2010

18. EMISSIONS
CHINA’S
per capita
EMISSION RATE
TOP
2004
2010
1/3
of emitters
ACCOUNTED FOR
RESPONSIBLE FOR
394,000
DEATHS
2.9%
SHARE OF GDP

19. X

20. IN 2005 ALONE
X
INCOME LOSS
of
$18.3B
IN CHINA
due to
HEART
DISEASE,
STROKE &
DIABETES

21. Correlated Economic Performance
$9 sf office rents
+ $7 sf retail rents
+80% retail revenues
+ $300/unit res. rent
+81 sf for-sale res. Value
+
*premiums for one level increase
From Brookings Institution
report, “Walk this Way;”
Based on State of Place™
*Five levels of walkability

24. State of Place™
0%
Medium
Density
Proximity
Connectivity
Parks & Public Spaces
Pedestrian Amenities
Personal Safety
Traffic Safety
Low
ROI
High
Form
Aesthetics
Recreational Facilities
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%

28. NYU-POLY
2
SITES
SHANGHAI
HANGZHOU
Goal: 30+ Chinese neighborhoods
State of Place™
CHINA
HEALTH SURVEY
2 DATA
SETS
FULBRIGHT
“ADVANCED”
PEOPLE WATCHING
BEST PRACTICES
2
GOALS
Shanghai: Sept. 2013 – Mar 2014
Get your voice heard!
6
MONTHS
STATE OF PLACE™
Expansion into Asian market, Fall 2013
FIVE CITIES
20+ INTERVIEWS

115. Shanghai Walk & Talks: www.meetup.com/shanghai-walk-talks
www.stateofplace.org