Healthy Soil
Soil is the foundation of our cities and represents the places we call home. Our neighborhood environments shape the choices we make and how we live.
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Universal Basic Neighborhood Project
The Universal Basic Neighborhood (UBN) Project aims to create healthier, more equitable communities by embedding health-promoting elements into public spaces, policies, and local infrastructure. Using a comprehensive framework of 36 indicators, the project assesses environmental, social, transportation, and housing factors that influence community wellbeing. By focusing on place-based strategies, UBN seeks to ensure that all neighborhoods, regardless of income or demographics, are designed to support health and thriving. This approach moves away from comparing affluent, predominantly white areas to other neighborhoods, instead establishing universal health standards for all communities.
Cultural Pass Loneliness Evaluation
The Cultural Pass program in Louisville provides free access to arts and cultural events for families, promoting social connection, learning and wellbeing. The University of Louisville conducts surveys to assess feelings of loneliness in senior citizens before and after a summer of utilizing the Cultural Pass, to determine if participation can improve mental wellbeing. By breaking down barriers to access, the Cultural Pass creates opportunities for everyone in Greater Louisville to enjoy and benefit from the city's rich cultural offerings, contributing to stronger communities and improved mental health for participants.
Learn More About the Cultural Pass Program
Alley Revitalization and Wellbeing
It is crucial to create residential environments that support mental health, safety and active lifestyles, especially amid historically low levels of mental wellbeing. Alleys, a neglected feature in many neighborhoods, often become sites for illegal dumping, invasive weeds and unsafe vehicle speeds. Beargrass Thunder, a project partner, conducted placemaking activities, including trash cleanup and greening, in a one-block alley in Louisville, Kentucky. Pre- and post-surveys showed promising results: mental distress scores improved from 2.02 to 3.9, and mental wellbeing scores increased from 3.46 to 2.9. Residents also reported spending more time in the alley, indicating increased community engagement.
Environmental Vulnerability Index
The Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) was developed to assess and map environmental vulnerabilities across Louisville, Kentucky's 190 census tracts. It integrates multiple stressors, including pollution exposure, social vulnerability, climate change and the built environment, into a composite score to highlight health disparities. The findings emphasize the need for neighborhood-level assessments and targeted interventions, revealing significant vulnerability clusters in the western parts of the city. This place-based framework aims to inform public health strategies and empower communities to advocate for equitable, healthy urban environments.
Brent Spence Bridge Environmental Assessment
This project focuses on improving environmental conditions in urban areas through targeted planting strategies. The team will begin by reviewing existing data to assess pollution levels and best practices for reducing air, noise and heat pollution. Using GIS analysis, they will identify plantable areas, considering potential barriers like utility lines. An arborist will create a list of tree species best suited to each site, ranked by their environmental benefits, such as reducing pollution and stormwater runoff. The project will also develop optimized planting layouts, considering both environmental impact and community preferences. A final report will summarize findings, species recommendations and expected environmental benefits.