Building a healthier Phoenix: a proposal for a health and infrastructure officer

Due to the size and location of the City of Phoenix, incorporating active transit and a large tree shade canopy is challenging. Extreme heat coupled with long distances creates natural barriers to an active lifestyle. Trees and active transportation corridors can remediate some of the health-related issues that current residents face. However, coordination through multiple departments within each governmental agency is needed to make such infrastructure projects part of the existing urban fabric. A health and infrastructure officer could play a vital role in creating succinct goals and nurturing interdepartmental relationships. This position would essentially act as the go-to person for capital improvement projects and policy plans related to healthy and active corridors in the city. A person in this role would act as a remedy for departmental silos and disjointed visions concerning infrastructure that impacts health. While improvements to shade and active transit are being made, this position could expedite the process and create a more efficient flow of communication.