Designing for good health, or simply good planning?
September 4, 2019
Katie Christou
2507 Views
Those involved in the delivery and creation of new places recognise the link between good placemaking and improved health – it’s not rocket science. Reassuringly, this is becoming more widely recognised beyond just us built environment professionals.
NHS England has launched new guidance – Putting Health into Place – to draw together these two disciplines to achieve healthy compact neighbourhoods, towns and cities. DLA supported the TCPA in compiling the built environment strand to the new guidance. After all, promoting healthy and sustainable communities is what we do.
The most effective way to get people healthier and reduce spending on conditions linked with physical inactivity, is prevention through good planning. A well-designed development will foster physical health and wellbeing; one that facilitates active travel to connect people and places, set within attractive green spaces.
The active use of spaces for recreation and food growing can be supported by digital technology. Social prescribing by health care professionals can refer people to non-clinical services, such as a range of sports, gardening and cooking classes, to support healthy lifestyles.
Collaborative working of planners, health providers and developers will be fundamental in bringing together these two disciplines. Will this help to deliver a new generation of Healthy New Towns?
To find out more please click here.
RELATED NEWS
LGA Toolkit on Effective Delivery of Strategic Sites
Today sees the launch of the LGA Toolkit for the Effective Delivery of Strategic Sites. DLA worked with the LGA to prepare the Toolkit, which brings together a wealth of public and private sector experience in an interactive format.
Major Milestone at Houlton, Rugby
A major milestone has been reached today at Houlton, Rugby, with the opening of Houlton School.
Worcester Revisit – A New Urban Space
Cathedral Plaza, as it was termed, was our suggestion to create a new urban space that could help establish not only a new destination but also accommodate a range of events as well as supporting the city’s retail and leisure economy.
David Lock Associates Announces Promotions
David Lock Associates has announced a series of senior promotions and graduate recruitment, adding strength to its growing team.
Planning’s endgame or not?
The loud and well resourced opponents of planning, and particularly the 1947 settlement, are misreading the politics of planning reform, says David Lock.
Stonebond Properties to Deliver the First Homes at Waterbeach
David Lock Associates has been engaged in the promotion and delivery of the new town north of Cambridge, at Waterbeach, since 2014. DLA are supporting Urban&Civic as master developer and delivery partner to the landowner, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
Baldock North Urban Extension Project
Work is now underway to bring forward proposals for the northern expansion of Baldock in Hertfordshire. David Lock Associates is engaged, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to under-take master planning and planning, on behalf of Urban&Civic (U&C).
Against all odds: A planmaking triumph of perseverance over adversity
Following the issuing of the Inspectors’ Report finding the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan sound, the authority adopted its Plan last night - a significant milestone for several reasons.
Stevenage Borough Council goes live with Station Gateway Area Action Plan Consultation
Stevenage Borough Council recently went live with their public consultation, to gain thoughts on the area around the Railway Station and Lytton Way. The works will be a key part of the regeneration of the town centre.
Priors Hall Marches On
Having negotiated outline planning permission for the Priors Hall development in Corby in March, DLA have now submitted and negotiated approval of details for the first Key Phase of the development.