Archived News Release from 2006

For Immediate Release

The Forum at Redwood City Presents:
“Creating Healthier Communities:Understanding the Link Between Urban Design and Public Health”

Redwood City, CA - January 31, 2006 - Former State of California Public Health Officer Dr. Richard Jackson will be speaking at “The Forum at Redwood City: A Continuing Conversation on City Design” on Wednesday, February 1, 2006, from 6:00 - 7:45 pm. His exciting and timely topic is “Creating Healthier Communities: Understanding the Link Between Urban Design and Public Health.”

Dr. Jackson will explore how “super-sizing” our lives with bigger homes, schools, vehicles and neighborhoods has resulted in more air pollution, traffic congestion, and a host of associated health problems. He will address how improving pedestrian facilities, preserving green space and upgrading transportation can promote physical and mental health and thereby help reduce chronic illnesses and conditions.

Currently a Professor of Environmental Health at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Dr. Jackson is a former Public Health Officer for the State of California, and a former Director of the National Center for Environmental Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the national American Institute of Architects and is co-author of, “Urban Sprawl and Public Health: Designing, Planning, and Building for Healthy Communities.”

A great deal of information on his topic can be found on his website, www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces. Last year, Dr. Jackson received the “Presidential Distinguished Executive Award” for his leadership and achievement in service to the nation, and in particular to improving environmental public health.

The Forum takes place at the Little Fox Theater, 2209 Broadway, in downtown Redwood City. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. An optional no-host dinner with the presenter and other participants will be held following the Forum for those wishing to continue the discussion. The Forum brings nationally-known speakers and presenters to Downtown Redwood City for in-depth dialogues on city design issues, providing an on-going venue for professional-level education and dialogue about urban design issues, today’s hottest urban design topics, and most cutting-edge techniques.

By bringing together local government officials from throughout the Bay Area, as well as planners, urban designers, architects, and other professionals in the urban design field, these forums are intended to educate and foster discussion on new and emerging concepts in city planning and design. Interested members of the public are welcome to attend.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and City government. Subscribe to Redwood City's email newsletter by sending an email to e-news@redwoodcity.org

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Contact:
Dan Zack
Downtown Development Manager
650-780- 7363