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Healthier Communities

Introduction

Almost every planning decision or policy has a potential effect on human health. Some links are obvious; by providing safe and convenient parks to allow physical activity, mental and physical wellbeing is promoted and obesity prevented. Some require further thought for example: significantly increasing car traffic along residential streets can lead to a lack of neighbourly contact, social isolation and poorer physical and mental health. Image

The emergence of the discipline of town planning in 19th Century Britain came out of an understanding of the impact of the environment and development upon human health. The provision of sewers, building codes, fire safety and slum clearance all came from the realisation that health and the control of the development were intrinsically linked.

For many years the link between physical development and health was dismissed by planning legislation as ‘not a land use issue’. The role of spatial planning has now widened to take account of the environmental, economic and social impacts of development. It's role to support and promote healthier communities is increasingly recognised.

HUDU have produced a manual which draws on our extensive experience and knowledge to bring together the key tools and guidance that Primary Care Trusts and London Boroughs will need to adopt in order to make the best use of the opportunities that spatial planning offers.

Planning for Health

Planning for health in London: The ultimate manual for primary care trusts and boroughs brings together HUDU's tools and guidance and asks key questions to help integrate health into planning strategies and processes.


pdf icon Planning for Health Manual (PDF 443kb)

Delivering Healthier Communities

“Delivering Healthier Communities in London” produced by HUDU provides evidence linking public health issues and spatial planning as well as examples of how public health issues can be addressed in planning policies. Image

pdf icon Delivering Healthier Communities in London (PDF 5,148kb)

Integrating Health into the Core Strategy: A Guide for Primary Care Trusts

The Local Development Framework (LDF) is made up of several documents, the most important of which is the core strategy. This sets out the key strategic policie3s that will guide development. The purpose of this guide is to demonstrate to PCTs how they can get involved in and influence the core strategy. Equally it can be used by the boroughs to check whether they are getting the best from the health sector in order to produce a 'sound' plan. The LDF will have a significant influence on the determinants of health, for instance housing, open space, transport, pollution and, employment and provide the policy framework to create healthier environments, support healthier lifestyles and plan for healthcare infrastructure.

pdf icon Integrating Health into the Core Strategy (PDF 989kb)
ms word icon Core Strategy Health Checklist (MS Word 194kb)

Integrating Health into Local Development Frameworks: HUDU's Assessment of London Borough Core Strategies

As of July 2011, a half of London boroughs had adopted their core strategies. HUDU have produced a report which summarises the progress made by boroughs and assesses how well health is integrated into each core strategy. We have identified three core strategies which we consider to be the best examples in London to date (ranked as 'four stars'). The report identifies elements of good practice where health and wellbeing issues have been incorporated into the evidence, objectives, policies, infrastructure plans and monitoring arrangements.

pdf icon HUDU Core Strategy Assessment July 2011 (PDF 102kb)

'Watch Out for Health' Appraisal

HUDU's ‘Watch Out for Heath’ provides a checklist to assess the likely impacts of planning policies and development proposals on health. It helps to ensure that health is properly considered when determining proposals. It allows the opportunity to influence policies and planning proposals to maximise the benefit to human health. The appraisal checklist should be used at the earliest stage in order to influence the final proposals.

pdf icon Watch Out for Health – Planning Checklist (PDF 934kb)