The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County conducted an HIA on the EPA Brownfields Area-Wide Plan, a proposal to redevelop various sites in Tampa’s University Area Community. The HIA investigated the potential health effects of the plan and whether they would disproportionately affect certain populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with physical disabilities, children, and older adults. The authors found that the plan would improve most examined health-related factors, including access to green space, opportunities for social engagement, and physical activity, but also showed that the plan would probably promote gentrification and displacement and increase exposure to outdoor air pollution.
The report offered the following recommendations to amplify the plan’s positive impacts and mitigate potential negative effects:
- Organize activities and events for the public around new amenities, including the park and community garden.
- Reduce speed limits on roads near the park.
- Plant shade trees in the park for relief from heat and sun exposure.
- Provide the community with information on ways to reduce the risk of respiratory and heat-related illnesses.
- Encourage the local community development corporation and nonprofit organizations to invest in housing.
Engage with government organizations to support affordable housing initiatives.
Outcome
The community park and garden have been developed, but the HIA report’s influence is unknown.
–
This Health Impact Assessment Report first appeared in The Cross-Sector Toolkit for Health. The Cross-Sector Toolkit for Health was originally developed by the Health Impact Project, formerly a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The creation of this resource was supported by a grant from the Health Impact Project. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Charitable Trusts, or the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
