Resource Database

This brief summarizes current research on elements of the rural built environment that may be related to obesity or physical activity. Much of this research is qualitative in nature, including evidence and conclusions drawn from rural focus groups, PhotoVoice studies, policy statements, observations from the field, and lessons learned from rural active living interventions.

The Rural Active Living Assessment (RALA) Tools assess the physical environment features and amenities, town characteristics, community programs, and policies that can affect physical activity among residents in rural communities. This tool is suitable for both practitioners and researchers. The tools include a RALA Codebook that provides users with a practical and simple guide for implementing the tool in rural communities across the U.S.

This guidebook is intended to serve as a guide for planners, engineers and elected officials who will be producing a new or updated bicycle and/or pedestrian master plan. Data for this guide was developed from literature review, case study interviews, and input from staff at Alta Planning + Design.

Alta and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals prepared Essentials of Bike Parking for people planning to purchase or install bike parking fixtures on a limited scale.

This webinar discussed the creation and implementation of small town and rural mutimodal transportation networks.

The American Planning Assoication (APA), through its professional institute AICP, organizes volunteer planning teams tailored specifically to a community's needs. Members offer their time and expertise to people and places where additional resources are needed. This program is supported by volunteer professionals, community contributions, and grant funding.

Bear Paw Development provides professional planning and project management. ent services the following geographic areas in the State of Montana. Services include small business development, brownfields program, community development, loan department, and value added agriculture programs.

Bear Paw assists communities and businesses in the following departments: community planning, business lending, value-added agriculture, community development, and small business counseling.

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc. is a non-profit private foundation established by Blue Cross of Idaho. This foundation provides money for planning and projects that encourage active living (e.g. biking).

The American Community Survey (ACS) collects and provides data every year to help communities plan investments and services. It provides general demographic data, information about how people commute to work, general education levels, and more.