Washington, D.C., September 9, 2015 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today issued the following statement on U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s ‘Call to Action’ report on the health benefits of walking and barriers to walkable communities. Please attribute to AIA CEO Robert Ivy, FAIA:
“We heartily endorse Surgeon General Murthy’s ‘Step It Up’ initiative to address the healthy benefits of walking and remove barriers to walkable communities.
“Architects are forging partnerships nationwide with schools of medicine and public health, taking a leading role in promoting walkable communities and visionary urban planning as a way to combat the epidemic of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
“It’s important also for our profession to take the Surgeon General’s ‘Call to Action’ not only to urban America, where walking and biking to work has become a way of life. We must also take it to suburban communities nationwide, where the design and planning have too often focused on the automobile and inhibited walking, livable communities and active living."
“We look forward to working one-on-one with the Surgeon General to make his Call to Action a reality.”
For a link to the Surgeon General’s report, click here:
About The American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit
www.aia.org.
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