Federal Government Launches Urban Planning Initiative

Planning that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport ahead of motor cars is the centrepiece of Healthy Spaces and Places, a major national initiative, unveiled this week at the annual Built Environment Meets Parliament (BEMP) Summit at Parliament House Canberra.

In an Australian first, health, local government, planning and design experts have worked together to produce a national guide for creating sustainable communities in which healthy living is a key priority.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and announced by the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery, Warren Snowden, Healthy Spaces and Places is a unique collaboration between the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).

As Dr Lyn Roberts, Chief Executive of the National Heart Foundation explains "Australia has unprecedented levels of preventable disease (and we are) dedicated to helping all Australians reduce their risk of developing preventable conditions such as heart disease.

"Healthy Space and Places helps professionals create environments that encourage us to be active."

Neil Savery, PIA's National President, said Healthy Spaces and Places is ground breaking for planners, designers and the related professions, stating that "healthy Spaces and Places spells out why we planners and our design colleagues must give priority to planning for people rather than private transport movements."

ALGA President Councillor Geoff Lake said the recent announcement by the Australian Government of the $1 billion Community Infrastructure Program underlines the importance of designing and creating healthy environments to nurture active and vibrant communities.

"I strongly believe councils and governments can work together to plan sensitive, well-designed facilities and public spaces that will meet the needs of local residents now and into the future," Lake explained, adding "Healthy Spaces and Places achieves this important goal."

Healthy Spaces and Places was previewed in the January/February 2009 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

For more information go to http://www.healthyplaces.org.au