Planning for better health
Barton, H. and Grant, M. (2006) A health map for the local human habitat. The Journal for the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, 126 (6). pp. 252-253. Based on a public health concept by Whitehead & Dahlgren. The Lancet 1991.
Planning for better health Many factors can influence the health of individuals and communities, including access to services, education, employment, the environment, housing, income and transport.
Improving health and tackling health inequalities requires concerted action across these wider determinants of health. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 introduced a duty on relevant local authorities to improve the health of their local populations, reflecting a belief that many of the wider determinants of health, for example, housing, economic development, planning and transport, can be most effectively addressed by local authorities. Under the Act, local authorities must also contribute to the preparation of Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies (JHWSs), through the local Health and Wellbeing Board. HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT (HIA) HIA provides one useful means to assist public and private sector bodies to consider the likely effects of their activities on the health and wellbeing of people and communities and on health inequalities, with a view to identifying practical ways to maximise health benefits and reduce inequalities. URS is a leading provider of rapid, intermediate and comprehensive HIA. We work with public and private sector clients to ensure that implications for health and health inequality are systematically considered
in the development of policies, plans, programmes and strategies and in the delivery of individual projects. URS is also a leading provider of broader impact assessment services, including Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) / Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for plans and programmes and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for individual projects. European legislation requires both SEAs and EIAs to consider impacts on population and human health. The planning system can play a key role in promoting better health and tackling some of the underlying causes of health inequality. URS is a leading provider of planning services and our experience encompasses strategic planning; development feasibility, financing, management and delivery; and masterplanning and urban design. In particular, we understand the need to integrate healthrelated considerations at the scheme inception stage so that public health interventions are firmly embedded in development proposals from the outset. We also understand that developing a detailed understanding of local health issues is the key to identifying appropriate interventions.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SHALL IDENTIFY, DESCRIBE AND ASSESS IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER, IN THE LIGHT OF EACH INDIVIDUAL CASE, THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT SIGNIFICANT EFFECTS OF A PROJECT ON… POPULATION AND HUMAN HEALTH EIA DIRECTIVE 2014/52/EU
WHY URS? We undertake standalone HIAs as well considering health impacts as part of wider SEA/SAs and EIAs. Extensive experience has enabled us to develop a strong understanding of what constitutes a successful HIA process. URS’ approach to HIA involves: establishing the context and agreeing the scope; collecting evidence and engaging with stakeholders; identifying and determining the significance of health impacts or outcomes; and developing an action plan and monitoring framework to support the achievement of health goals. URS has a strong track record in green infrastructure, the provision of which can promote better health through, for example, improving air quality, providing opportunities for physical activity, encouraging social contact and integration and promoting urban cooling (increasingly important given the effects of climate change). Our health capability is complemented by wider expertise in equality, diversity and inclusion, socio-economic assessment, stakeholder engagement, transport planning, air quality and noise and vibration. We endeavour to stay at the forefront of the planning for health agenda. For example, a URS member of staff, Paul Tomlinson, provided technical assistance in the development of guidance, policy and strategies on health assessment for the Department of Health, the RTPI, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Healthy Urban Development Group. He is also a member of the Spatial Planning & Health Group (SPAHG), a group of planning and health experts seeking to improve public health through the positive use of spatial planning.
GREEN SPACE AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO REDUCE HEALTH INEQUALITIES Fair Society, Healthy Lives: The Marmot Review (2010)
OUR EXPERIENCE HIA for HS2 Phase One URS played a key role in the route-wide HIA for HS2 Phase One: London to West Midlands. The assessment considered the likely direct, indirect and cumulative effects for health and wellbeing anticipated to arise during the construction and operation of Phase One, took into account consultation findings and put forward appropriate mitigation measures. Research into the provision of housing for older people URS were commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government to identify the reasons behind the housing market’s failure to keep pace with the ageing population and deliver housing suitable for living well in later life. The research involved quantitative modelling of housing supply and demand and qualitative research, including focus groups with older people. Ludgate House and Sampson House Health and Wellbeing Assessment URS created a socio-environmental model of health to assess the health and wellbeing effects of this proposed mixed-use development in the London Borough of Southwark. The model recognised that health and wellbeing are attributable to a wide set of inter-related factors such as lifestyle, employment, education and income, as well as health service provision and interventions. Kent County Council Health and Planning Toolkit URS developed a Health and Sustainable Planning online toolkit, to assist planners in making informed decisions in support of healthcare and sustainability, and to facilitate and support joined up working between planning, health and sustainability officers to deliver across multiple outcomes more efficiently. The project involved workshops and training for planners and health and sustainability leads. Environment Agency Health and Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit URS developed a toolkit for use by the health and care sector to build resilience to climate change from the community level upwards. Specifically, the toolkit focuses on effective risk management, the role of Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and the economic benefits from early action and synergies through Health and Wellbeing Strategies. Liverpool Open Space Strategy URS is preparing a development and management strategy for Liverpool’s parks and greenspaces on behalf of Liverpool City Council.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Planning and Health Paul Tomlinson Associate Director Paul.Tomlinson@urs.com 0121 214 8211 Health Impact Assessment Sarah Hill Senior Consultant Sarah.Hill@urs.com 01256 310579 Green infrastructure Jon Rooney Principal Landscape Architect Jon.Rooney@urs.com 01223 275716 Climate change adaptation Lili Pechey Principal Consultant Lili.Pechey@urs.com 020 7798 5239
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