Safe, Healthy, Inclusive and Livable Communities
The Lehigh Valley’s identity begins and ends with quality of life. It rests in safe, walkable neighborhoods, where housing is attainable and public space is designed for everyone. We’ll get there through targeted investments, innovative community design and the integration of housing, jobs and transportation that everyone can use. The American Dream is here for the taking.
Promote safe and secure community design and emergency management.
5.1
- Implement complete street and traffic-calming measures.
- Reduce bicycle and pedestrian fatalities towards zero.
- Incorporate resiliency and hazard mitigation into planning and design, including 100- and 500-year floodplains.
- Educate the public on hazard impacts and mitigation techniques.
- Enhance planning and emergency response efforts among emergency management personnel.
- Reduce blight to improve safety and accessibility in communities.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Community Advocates
Related Policies
3.2
5.2
2.2
3.4
Increase social and economic access to daily needs for all people.
5.2
- Encourage use of universal design.
- Promote safe routes to schools and playgrounds.
- Create public spaces in underserved areas.
- Support cultural and social programs.
- Ensure transportation accessibility for all persons.
- Integrate mixed-transportation into public space design.
- Improve connections between bus stops and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
- Improve data accessibility in public spaces.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities, Educational Institutions, Community Advocates
Related Policies
2.1
2.3
4.3
5.1
1.2
2.5
5.3
2.2
4.5
Canal Trail Concept
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Trail - Eastside
Green infrastructure is an important part of reducing environmental impacts from stormwater and development. While existing stormwater infrastructure helps to prevent flooding, it often doesn’t look attractive or do a good job of cleaning and filtering runoff before it ends up in our creeks, streams and rivers. Constructing wetlands and rain gardens, such as converting the old canal bed, will help to clean and manage future stormwater, creating new habitats and improving the beauty of our communities.
Design Renderings by PennPraxis
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
SPECIAL SECTION
The Lehigh Valley is a relatively healthy place to live with great access to parks and open space, which contributes to the two counties ranking high statewide. However, many of these health benefits are unequally distributed, and overall public health has declined regionally in recent decades. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity and low physical activity are more concentrated in our lower income neighborhoods and communities of color, but decades of auto-oriented development have made healthy active lifestyles difficult for everyone. Our dependency on driving has also contributed to poor air quality that exacerbates conditions like asthma.
This simple directive means fundamental changes to how we live and think about our communities. Things like regional bike trails and farmers markets are not just nice features, but are critical infrastructure that enables biking to work and improves access to fresh produce. Street trees and public parks don’t just look beautiful, they cool neighborhoods during the summer, improve mental health and increase opportunities to socialize with neighbors. Seemingly little things like making sure sidewalks are available and in good condition can have major impacts because they increase choice and opportunity for everyone.
By focusing on people, rather than cars, we can make our communities more connected, socially vibrant and economically successful, while promoting healthy lifestyles.
To improve public health, we need to
design communities to encourage
healthy living
Access to parks,
recreation and open space
reduces depression,
anxiety and stress
Having a walkable
neighborhood
promotes better health. A 25-minute walk to the corner store burns 150-200 calories, compared to 15-20 burned
driving there
Access to
preventative care drastically reduces high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity
Canal Trail Concept
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Trail - Westside
Regional trails provide excellent opportunities for active commuting and recreation for all people, while creating opportunities to connect to our heritage, natural areas and recreational opportunities. While commuting by car often leads to weight gain and added stress, biking or walking to work improves physical health, mental well-being and workplace performance. High-quality trails make it easier to choose these healthy commuting options by providing safe routes between neighborhoods and regional destinations.
Design Renderings by PennPraxis
Create community spaces that promote physical and mental health.
5.3
- Promote revitalization of walkable historic centers.
- Improve walkability of post-war centers.
- Ensure equitable access to fresh food and produce.
- Support urban farming and community gardens.
- Improve access to green spaces.
- Promote street trees and pedestrian-scale lighting.
- Strengthen sidewalk, bike route and trail infrastructure.
- Diversify park programming.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities, Health Organizations, Environmental Organizations, Housing Organizations, Community Advocates, Lehigh Valley Greenways
Related Policies
1.3
3.3
5.4
1.1
3.1
5.2
Promote development that complements the unique history, environment, culture and needs of the Valley.
5.4
- Promote context-specific design solutions.
- Encourage reuse of vacant and underutilized properties.
- Promote adaptive reuse of historic buildings.
- Strengthen historic main streets and cultural centers.
- Create public spaces that reflect and enhance local culture.
- Integrate visual and performing art into public space.
- Support community arts.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities, Educational Institutions, Community Advocates
Related Policies
1.3
2.1
4.1
1.1
5.3
3.2
1.4
PARKS, OUTDOOR RECREATION, OPEN SPACE AND SCENIC PLAN
This plan shows major existing and planned park, recreation, open space and scenic facilities and is used to guide efforts by private organizations and government agencies to expand, improve and connect regional assets. The plan combines natural resources and scenic assets to identify Character-Defining Areas. The LVPC uses this plan as an important component of proposal review and highly encourages projects that expand, improve or connect the network. Proposed improvements are compatible with any land use depicted on the General Land Use Plan.
Character-Defining Areas are identified on the General Land Use Plan.
INTERACTIVE MAP
Historic Corridor Revitalization Concept
Hanover Avenue, Allentown
Mixed-transportation, infill development, green infrastructure, public space and community art are all important parts of strengthening historic main streets. These core neighborhoods help incubate small local businesses, serve the daily needs of residents and are the backbone of the local community. Their mix of housing, schools, transportation and commerce support social interaction and overall community well-being. The combination of historic, social, cultural, economic, recreation and transportation creates a high quality of life for Lehigh Valley residents.
Design Renderings by PennPraxis