Transforming Michigan neighborhoods to create safe, fair places for physical activity
Prevention Research Center of Michigan: Transforming the Built Environment to create Safe and Equitable Spaces for Physical Activity
This project will turn vacant lots and neighborhood spaces in Flint into safer, more walkable places so local residents—especially those in underserved areas—can be more active.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136829 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a resident's perspective, this center works with neighborhood members, public health teams, and urban planners to reuse abandoned land for walking paths, green spaces, and community activity areas. The team uses community-engaged methods and implementation science to design, launch, and sustain these vacant-land reuse programs. They pay special attention to safety, neighborhood input, and how to keep improvements going over time in areas affected by violence and disinvestment. Activities focus on Flint and nearby neighborhoods, combining practical site changes with local partnerships and ongoing monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are residents of Flint-area neighborhoods—especially people who live near vacant lots or in communities facing safety or resource challenges—who want safer places to walk, play, or exercise.
Not a fit: People who do not live in the targeted Flint neighborhoods or whose health needs require specialized, fully accessible facilities beyond public green spaces may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these efforts could create safer, easier-to-use outdoor spaces that help people be more physically active and reduce health inequities tied to neighborhood conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows parks and repurposed vacant lots can increase activity, but applying and sustaining these approaches in high-violence, disinvested legacy cities like Flint is less tested.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zimmerman, Marc a — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Zimmerman, Marc a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.