The Lloyd Ecodistrict in Portland, OR was formed in 2009 with a goal of becoming one of North America’s most sustainable living-and-working districts. In the seven years since its formation, the ecodistrict is well on its way to becoming a case study in effective district-scale regeneration, thanks in large part to the emphasis project leaders have put on strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement.

Mobile grocery units are gaining momentum as a way of combatting food deserts. The USDA defines food deserts as “a census tract with a substantial share of residents who live in a low income area that have low access to a grocery store or healthy affordable retail outlet.” Their mobility allows for outreach to multiple neighborhoods at a time.

A bicycle train is a group of people bicycling together along a structured route with a set schedule and meeting places — most commonly seen in the form of parents leading a group of children to school, but also including adults commuting to work. This alternative form of transportation is popular because it improves bicyclist safety and can help new cyclists acclimate to commuting via bicycle.

According to the Active Living Research program from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, active living integrates physical activity into the daily routines of people — 30-60 minutes per day. To facilitate and support opportunities for active living, a focus on the built environment and good urban design is essential—including neighborhoods, transportation systems, buildings, street and sidewalk design, parks and open space.

Bike-sharing systems are public active transportation programs comprised of interconnected stations that exchange bicycles for free or at an affordable rate for short distance trips in urban areas. These programs offer an alternative to motorized transportation to prevent its negative externalities, and present opportunities for increased physical activity.