Planning A Shift Towards Healthy Neighbourhoods
The Age
Saturday June 24, 2006
Residents' wellbeing is the key focus in urban design, writes Amanda Place.
SHOULD we leave urban planning to engineers, developers and architects? Do they have the necessary skills to ensure Victorians live healthy lives - or are they still likely to build suburbs that pay homage to the requirements of the car?VicHealth and the Planning Institute of Australia have joined forces to fast-track a slowly changing culture among urban planners. As part of their ambitions, they are looking for an expansive thinker who can analyse the big picture and improve the health of people living in the suburbs.Sounds complex but the job description is quite clear. The institute's Stephanie Knox says the new recruit will be able to analyse urban environments and the impact of development on people's wellbeing and lifestyle.The new employee will help ensure communities feel safe and have access to open spaces, public transport and healthy food sources. To do this, the person will have to liaise and influence those responsible for creating neighbourhoods - helping them understand the link between environment and health.With the increase in diseases including obesity, heart disease and diabetes, the role is an important one. In an unusual way, it will link planners of "hard infrastructure" such as roads with health workers who have important roles to play in speaking up for the health needs of their communities."How we work, live and play have a fundamental impact on our lives and the way society works," she says. "The new recruit needs to be able to see how urban design impacts on the nitty gritty of life."She said suburbs need to be people-friendly ensuring there are opportunities for people to cycle and walk. They need a neighbourhood that offers opportunities to walk to the post box or a public phone, to ensure a milk bar is included in plans so residents can walk or ride for their papers and hopefully, healthy food. Parks need to link residential areas.Ms Knox was in a similar role for three years, which included helping councils change their planning practices.Whittlesea Council is a stellar example of the way it can be done, she says. Policies on walking tracks, cycling paths and shade now apply to all areas in the municipality. "The result is a new subdivision design which is people-friendly."The alternative has been well documented by VicHealth. Social isolation, the incidence of depression, a growing number of obese children, the alienation of young people, as well as unhealthy car-dominated, physically inactive lifestyles can be found in poorly designed suburbs.Since 1987, VicHealth has been creating innovative programs to improve health, encouraging debate and responding to emerging trends.The planning institute is a national organisation representing urban and regional planners. It promotes disciplined planning and is taking a greater role in influencing, researching and debating community best interests on key planning and public policy issues.The institute has teamed up with VicHealth on the Planning for Health and Wellbeing project, employing the new project officer in a half-time position, restricted only by funding limitations.Ms Knox, meanwhile, is taking her understanding to Sri Lanka where the institute is supporting urban and regional planners following the tsunami. She has much practical, common sense experience to call on - though Australian needs are quite different."Provision of walking and cycling paths is a commonly accepted design component of our urban environments and residential areas but we've gone beyond the mere provision of such facilities. The location, including links and destinations, width, surface materials, signage, facilities en route such as seats, drinking fountains are also critical design elements which must be considered," she says."A (thin) walking path located at the rear of dwellings surrounded by high fences is of dubious value. Footpaths must also be provided along each street and streets that are connected - not a maze of dead ends and cul-de-sacs."Karyn Stamp, who is also working on the project, says social interaction is a key to community spirit and the mental health of residents. She said facilities such as a community laundromat, playground, meeting room or hall, local shop, basketball ring and skating area for teenagers are seen to be important meeting places and a "focus for community life".Both women agree. The research tells the story.Ms Knox says: "We've got the ideas, now we need to make it happen. We need to link the local government, the private sector, State Government, community groups and the not-for-profit sector to ensure communities benefit." Applications close on June 30. Inquiries about the position should be directed to the Planning Institute of Australia on 9347 1900, email: vic@planinng.org.au
© 2006 The Age