Emory University Awarded Community Action Grant

Congratulations to Emory University for picking up a Community Action Grant (CAG) in the amount of $18,000 from The Urban Land Institute. The grant was given to the University to create a walkable campus community model that will allow for ULI members to conduct research on things such as the health benefits of a walkable campus. Emory was chosen to receive the grant because of the recent strides the campus has taken to become a walkable community.

ULI organizers are hopeful that they will be able to create a walkable community blueprint for other universities across the nation during this process. Walking, biking and wheelchair riding are expected to increase around campus by the end of the campaign, which is not only good for students and teachers, but the environment as well.

The campaign will also allow the University to re-design the heart of their campus to be pedestrian-only without parking and vehicle access. This re-design is one of the many steps that Emory will take towards becoming a more eco-friendly campus.

As you know, traffic congestion, poor air quality and increasing greenhouse gas emissions are among the most critical issues impacting our environment. The EPA says that transportation sources accounted for approximately 47 percent of the net increase in total U.S. emissions since 1990. At the same time, obesity and mental health problems also continue to plague the medical health and personal well-being of thousands in the United States. Walkable communities are expected to be able to curtail some of these major problems.

Funding for this grant is being matched with contributions from Emory University, as well as in-kind support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you are interested in participating in this 180-day grant project, please contact Jeff DuFresne at jdufresne@uli.org or 770.951.8500.