Latest News Thu, Apr 19, 2018 11:19 AM
Design Council has launched their Healthy Placemaking research, which closely examines the public, and economic benefits of healthy placemaking across the UK.
The environments where we live and work have a major impact on our health, yet we continue to design and build unhealthy places.
As the government strives to meet its target of 300,000 homes a year and respond to the growing demand for public services, particularly in health and social care, there has never been a more important time to actively encourage the design of healthy places.
This latest research from Design Council and Social Change UK notes that healthy placemaking sits on the periphery of UK housing, public health and placemaking policy. It continues to be seen as a cost to local development rather than an investment, and when considered alongside the plethora of local planning priorities and frameworks it often gets overlooked.
Investment in the future of our towns, cities and villages must have a focus on healthy places to deliver sustainable communities that boost local economic growth and improve people’s lives through reducing preventable disease.“With ever-increasing pressures on the NHS to fight preventable health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, we need to consider new ways to fight this growing health epidemic," said Design Council CEO, Sarah Weir OBE.
"As a recognised leader within the
architecture and built environment sector, we want to fully understand what
stops those who design and build the places that we live and work in making us
healthier and happier. Our latest research makes clear that, despite the
evidence, healthy placemaking is often side-lined and seen as a cost. This has
to change if we are to tackle the high levels of physical inactivity that is
costing the country an estimated £7.4 billion each year.”
Social Change UK, the organisation that carried out the research, believes some of our toughest societal issues can be solved by healthy placemaking. Kelly Hunstone, Chief Executive said: “After years of working on the ground within local communities we believe a lot of health and social issues can be solved by designing healthier neighbourhoods.
"People want to live in comfortable, breathable homes that make them feel safe and secure. They want access to green spaces and cycle paths and the kind of environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle and happier life. This should be the right of everyone – and not the few – and I urge our decision makers – our politicians, our planners and anyone involved in the design and construction of our villages, towns and cities to put healthy placemaking top of the agenda."
Design Councils recommendations for developing healthy places are:
Featured News
BUILDING SYSTEM – THIN JOINT MASONRY FOR THE FUTUREThe design of the blocks is such...
Kentec Electronics, the leading manufacturer of innovative life safety solutions, has...
BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES
FRAMESAFE FR A2 FIRE...
By Glidevale Protect
A Guide to Aluminium...
By F.H. Brundle
Handrailing & Balust...
By F.H. Brundle
RLG600 Access Floori...
By Kingspan Data & Floo...
RHG600 Simploc
By Kingspan Data & Floo...
BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS
Straightcurve® – headquartered in Australia, is renowned for high-end innovative garden edging,...
The Kingspan RLG600 raised access floor panel is intended for light office use and is capable of...
Kingspan RHG600 Simploc is the heavy grade floor system, capable of handling up to a 12kN/m2...
CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS
Straightcurve® Product Range Overview - A Demonstration of Installation Ease
In progressive and dynamic business sectors, such as construction, it’s natural to be forward...
Decorative aluminium horizontal bulkheads more than 100 metres long have been supplied and installed...