Assessing the Active Living Impacts of Urban Design Improvements: Brenham TX Main Street Program

Abstract

Literature search indicates that Main Street Program (MSP) is considered to be successful in achieving the goals of ‘preferred place to live’ and ‘increased active living’. The four point approach of MSP, (organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring) reportedly improves businesses by improving the urban character while allegedly improving active living. This paper focuses on the urban improved areas under the MSP. This research links observable design changes incorporated in the MSP of Brenham TX with identified characteristics of active living. Time constraints prevented collecting sufficient data for a statistically significant study. However a framework is hereby established for future work that more rigorously links MSP and active living for statistical analysis. Preliminary conclusions are drawn based on analysis of the limited available data.