Planning for Healthy Urban Planning for Healthy Urban Communities in Australia – Communities in Australia –

The Healthy Places and Spaces The Healthy Places and Spaces ProjectProject

OutlineOutline

Planning Context Current health status of Australians Strategic planning and health The Healthy Spaces and Places Project Local planning and design for health Challenges Conclusion

Urban planning - Australian context

21 Million People; 85% live in cities, mainly along eastern & SE coastline

Three tiers of government – Federal, State/Territory and Local

Planning Challenges:– Ageing Population– Housing Affordability– Climate Change– Infrastructure

Australian suburban Australian suburban environmentsenvironments

Car oriented Poor public

transport and links to public transport

Concerns about safety

Poor public space Poor access to fresh

food

Health of AustraliansHealth 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

Urban Planning and HealthUrban Planning and Health

Strategic Planning Adopt health considerations as core business

Policy Integration Incorporate health considerations into policies, strategies

and plans across a range of business units

Project Initiation Implement projects that support healthy

urban environments

Statutory Planning Apply healthy planning and design guidelines

Strategic frameworkStrategic framework

Vision & mission statements Government programs – Go for Your Life Policy documents – Liveable Neighbourhoods

WA, Sustainable Neighbourhoods Metropolitan plans e.g. Melbourne 2030,

Sustainable Sydney 2030 Local planning policies – car parking, housing

choice, increasing densities

PartnershipHealthy 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 are identified: Scoping – during 2007 Consultation – workshops mid - late 2008 Implementation – 08/09 Evaluation - 2009

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