Home Why Health and Planning? Who is this for? What Makes a Healthy Place? Design Principles Development Types Case Studies
List all Case Studies
Making it Happen Frequently Asked Questions Getting the Message Out Image Gallery
 
Healthy Spaces & Places Healthy Spaces & Places

Case Studies

Healthy by Design, Victoria

Town/Region | All Local Government Areas
State | VIC
Context | Statewide
Target Group | Professionals with responsibilitiy for design, development and maintenance of urban development
Timing | Resource launched 2004
Weblink | Click here to view the website.

Overview

Healthy by Design: a planner’s guide to environments for active living was developed by the Heart Foundation (Victorian Division) in 2004. The resource recognises the significant health implications of planning decisions, and aims to assist planners to create built environments that support physical activity, particularly through provision for active transport.

The Heart Foundation has been actively disseminating the resource in Victoria for the last four years. Implementation has had a primary focus on how local government can incorporate the principles of Healthy by Design into local policy and municipal planning schemes.

Key Features

  • Healthy by Design provides advice on optimal design approaches in seven key areas: walking and cycling routes; streets; local destinations; open space; public transport; seating, signage, lighting, fencing and walls; and fostering community spirit.
  • Adaptable to the local context - guidance for developers has been developed by individual councils, based on the design considerations contained in Healthy by Design.

Considerations

  • The cost of implementing Healthy by Design can vary markedly, depending on the approach used and the availability of existing or in house resources. In some cases, Councils have used Healthy by Design to assess plans and develop local policies using existing staff resources. Others have recruited specific staff or engaged external consultants to undertake more extensive work at some cost.
  • Interested and motivated individuals can be effective change agents for healthy urban environments, but a supportive policy environment is required for sustainable change.
     

Click here for more detailed information on Healthy by Design, Victoria

Last updated on 22nd July, 2009
Sponsors This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.