Harris County Public Health- Home Page About Divisions Environmental Public Health Built Environment (BE) Program

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About the Built Environment (BE) Program

The Built Environment (BE) Program was launched in 2015 topromote health and equity through community planning and healthy communitydesign where individuals live, learn, work, worship, and play in Harris County,Texas.

The built environment includes the natural and human-made place and spaces that affect daily life, like housing, schools, parks, sidewalks, workplaces, as well as access to public systems such as transportation, water, and food. Urban planning is a process that guides how land, buildings, and public spaces are developed. These decisions shape the built environment and directly influence public health by determining access to healthy food, quality education, healthcare, employment, as well as opportunities for physical activity and social connection. When planning decisions prioritize health and equity, communities become places where people can move safely, connect socially, access opportunities, and thrive physically and mentally. 

BE program goals are to:

  • Increase access to healthy communities and environments
  • Engage the community to build local knowledge and support opportunities to facilitate change that promotes health equity
  • Support cross-sector collaboration to build capacity and share information on best practices for healthy community design
  • Provide technical assistance to communities and agencies interested in improving the built environment
  • Demonstrate the value of integrating health into planning, design, and development projects

The BE Program collaborates with county agencies, community organizations, and local leaders to integrate health perspectives into all stages of planning and design, ensuring that accessible and equitable public services, inclusive public spaces, safe routes, and resilient infrastructure are a part of Harris County neighborhoods. 

Current initiatives include health impact reviews, community action planning, and active transportation efforts, such as Safe Routes to School, to improve community safety and health outcomes county-wide.