The built environment includes the human-made, physical characteristics that provide the setting for human activities – where people live, work, learn and play. Healthy built environments are the product of good planning practices. Whether rural, urban or suburban communities, healthy built environments are places that are designed to support good health for all.
How we design our communities is vitally important to our health and well-being. Planning decisions such as zoning, transportation systems and community design significantly influence health. Consider, for instance, the distances people must travel to work, the convenience of buying healthy foods, or the safety of a park: these factors can promote good nutrition, physical activity and increase leisure time. The outcome can be better mental and physical health.
Read more about how local governments can support the building of healthy communities in the following areas:
• active transportation
• healthy neighbourhood design
• healthy housing
Excerpt from the Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit: Download it here >>
