Revitalizing distressed neighborhoods through the formal process known as redevelopment can transform entire communities, bringing an array of benefits that improve residents’ health.

Redevelopment efforts are overseen by local agencies with the tools and expertise to plan and finance a range of projects that create stronger communities, from improving transit and street safety to developing space for retail, housing, and recreation. Public health officials and advocates can work with redevelopment agencies to ensure that plans prioritize and fund activities that improve access to healthy food and physical activity.

This California-specific fact sheet is designed to give advocates a general introduction to how redevelopment works and highlight ways for advocates to engage in the process. Also available in Spanish.

Be sure to check out another California-specific fact sheet, How to Use Economic Development Resources to Improve Access to Healthy Food, designed to provide a basic overview of how economic development programs work, highlighting a variety of ways for advocates to influence the process.

To learn more about redevelopment, see our other products:

• Getting Involved in Redevelopment: Strategies for Public Health Advocates shows how redevelopment can help build healthier communities, and how advocates and residents can partner with redevelopment agencies throughout the process.

• Economic Development and Redevelopment: A Toolkit on Land Use and Health offers a fundamental overview of the economic development and redevelopment tools available, their use, and how to effectively participate in decisions about their use.