Planning and health

Planning plays a critical role in fostering healthier communities by creating environments that encourage physical activity, improve access to healthy food, and enhance overall wellbeing. Thoughtful urban design can promote walkable neighbourhoods with bike lanes, parks, and recreational spaces, which increase physical activity and reduce sedentary lifestyles.

Planning can also address food deserts (low-income areas where households struggle to get affordable fresh fruit and vegetables) by ensuring access to fresh produce and supporting community gardens. Green spaces and well-designed environmental infrastructure contribute to cleaner air and water, which are vital for preventing health issues like respiratory diseases.

Planning that includes affordable housing, mixed-use development, and access to essential services can reduce social inequalities, promoting better mental and physical health for all community members.

Local initiatives

In Nottinghamshire, urban planning initiatives have made significant strides in improving public health by focussing on on active travel, green spaces, environmental health, affordable housing and community engagement. For example, the expansion of cycling lanes and introduction of bike-sharing programmes in Nottingham have led to a 50% increase in cycling. The Nottinghamshire Walking Strategy has encouraged more walking by creating better pedestrian routes and access to parks. Being able to visit to green spaces like Sherwood Forest and the Active Parks programme, has been shown to improve both physical and mental health with residents reporting reduced stress and increased happiness.

Efforts to improve air quality, such as the introduction of Nottingham's Low Emission Zone, have reduced particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels, contributing to fewer respiratory diseases.

The Nottinghamshire Housing Strategy aimed to improve the quality of housing, particularly in disadvantaged areas, addressing issues like fuel poverty and reducing conditions related to poor housing, such as respiratory illnesses.

Community-driven planning, through initiatives like Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) and local partnerships, has also ensured that public health concerns are integrated into urban development, resulting in more accessible healthcare services and better infrastructure.

These combined efforts have led to healthier, more active communities across Nottinghamshire, demonstrating how thoughtful planning can directly improve public health outcomes.

Visit GOV.UK website for guidance on promoting healthy and safe communities