Urban Planning and Health: Revitalising the Alliance. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arthurson, Kathy; Lawless, Angela; Hammet, Kirsty
• Is Part Of: Urban policy and research. Volume 34:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Urban Planning and Health -- Health and Built Environment -- Social Determinants of Health -- Health and Planning Policy; City planning -- Australia -- Periodicals; City planning -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; City planning -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Australia -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 307.7609905
• DOI: 10.1080/08111146.2015.1129943
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0811-1146

Abstract

Abstract: The idea that important links exist between urban planning and health, or where people live affects their health and well-being and opportunities to lead productive lives, is not new. Historically though acceptance of these links is inconsistent. In the mid-nineteenth century strong connections were made between urban planning and the health of populations in addressing public health issues arising through rapid industrialisation. In the twentieth century recognition of these links became more tenuous. Echoing insights from 200 years ago, but reflecting on contemporary health issues the World Health Organisation, Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (2008:4) recently called for the need to place considerations of "health equity … at the heart" of urban planning policies. This paper reports on research that evaluated the Health in Planning Project, which aimed to contribute to better integration and in the longer term embed health considerations into policy within the planning sector. The four year project funded by the South Australian State Department of Health was a partnership project with the Department of Planning and Local Government. The external evaluation of the project used a mixed method design including individual interviews, focus groups, and analysis of project documentation and policy and planning documents.