Transcript Healthy by Design

Planning for Healthy Urban
Communities in Australia –
The Healthy Places and Spaces
Project
Outline
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Current health status of Australians
Strategic planning and health
The Healthy Spaces and Places Project
Local planning and design for health
Challenges
Conclusion
Health of Australians
 Epidemic of chronic diseases - cardiovascular
diseases, arthritis, diabetes, cancer
 Obesity rates doubled in Australia since 1985
 18% of Australian adults obese (2002) - double the
rate of 1989
 13,000 deaths per year in Australia attributed to
physical inactivity
 Mental health disorders are prevalent and increasing
-1 in 5 people in Australia are affected by a mental
health problem in any 1 year
Australian suburban
environments
 Car oriented
 Poor public
transport and links
to public transport
 Concerns about
safety
 Poor public space
 Poor access to fresh
food
Travel patterns and health
 10 percent of all trips are less than one
kilometre (a 10 minute walk)
 30 percent are less than three kilometres
(Aust Bureau of Transport Economics, 2002)
 There are substantial direct benefits to health
and in the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions by encouraging people to walk or
cycle rather than drive
Strategic planning for health
outcomes
 Integrated action
 All levels of government, elected reps and
community working together
 Multi disciplinary, all built environment
professionals
 Vision and mission statements to local
planning and implementation
 Metro, regional and local level
Partnership
Healthy Spaces and Places is a partnership
between:
 Australian Local Government Association
 The Heart Foundation of Australia
 Planning Institute of Australia
This project has received funding assistance
from the Australian Government Department
of Health and Ageing
Value of Partnership
 Unique Partnership
 Memorandum of Understanding underpins
partnership
 Leveraging knowledge, advocacy and
networks
 Stronger influence for change
Project design
Four project stages:
 Scoping – during 2007
 Consultation – workshops mid - late 2008
 Implementation – 08/09
 Evaluation – 2009/10
Healthy Spaces and Places project is about:
 recognizing how everyday urban management decisions
can influence people’s health and well-being
 recognizing the complexity and crossdisciplinary/sectoral nature of the issues
 raising awareness
 setting a national policy agenda
 supporting current State/local initiatives
What are we trying to achieve?
 improved understanding amongst health and
planning professionals of how the built environment
influences active living
 people engaging in regular physical activity
 sense of belonging and social inclusion
 sense of place
 positive health impacts on future health burden
 sustained economic well-being
Consultation outcomes
 case studies of current practice, including critical
analysis, visual illustrations, good and poor practice,
successes, learnings and barriers
 evidence based (linking planning principles with
health outcomes), inspirational, challenging and a
vision of good practice
 information tailored to different audiences
 Relevant to governments, the education sector,
professional groups, industry peak bodies and the
community.
Healthy Design Principles
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Active transport
High quality design
Connectivity
Streets
Environments for all people
Mixed density
Mixed land use
Safety and surveillance
Social inclusion
Supporting infrastructure