Planning for Healthy Urban Communities in Australia – The Healthy Places and Spaces Project

Outline  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 cross- disciplinary/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  Active transport  High quality design  Connectivity  Streets  Environments for all people  Mixed density  Mixed land use  Safety and surveillance  Social inclusion  Supporting infrastructure