The Whole Communities Radio Project

Portland, OR, 2004

Numerous studies have recently shown a statistically significant correlation between urban sprawl and obesity, demonstrating that physical exercise is linked to lifestyle and the types of communities where Americans live.

The Whole Communities Radio Project explored the connections between the physical design of communities and the health of their inhabitants. Through a series of radio programs on KBOO-FM, community workshops, public forums and an evening of entertainment, The Whole Communities Radio Project helped Portland-area communities envision an environment where enjoyable physical activity is an integral part of daily life. The project also looked at how environments built around automotive rather than pedestrian needs discourage people from engaging in physical activity. The project examined the long-term health consequences of auto-centric community planning.

KBOO collaborated with the Coalition for a Livable Future, an alliance of 60 community organizations working together to strengthen and broaden regional planning efforts, to ensure a healthy, equitable and sustainable future for the Portland region. The Whole Communities Radio Project sought to foster conversations among Northwest Oregon's regional planners, civic leaders, educators, health workers, community activists and the general public about how the design of neighborhoods encourages or discourages active, healthy lifestyles. The goal was not just to educate the community, but more importantly to affect policy decisions at the city, county and regional levels.

Awards:

KBOO Round Four

$4,350 — Oregon Council for the Humanities

KBOO Round Three

Golden Reel for Local Documentary, "The Breast Cancer
Monologues" produced by Dmae Roberts and Mediarites
— 2005 NFCB Golden Reel Awards

Clarion Award for "The Breast Cancer Monologues" produced by Dmae Roberts and Mediarites — Women in Communications

$7,000 — Regional Arts and Culture Council

$5,631 — Oregon Arts Commission