health

Resource base on health, spatial planning, open spaces and built environment updated

August 18, 2011 - The natural and urban environment plays a major role in the health of communities. Urban town planning is crucial for the health of residents and the infrastructure of the location. more >

Blue sky, green space: Understanding the Contribution Parks and Green Spaces can make to Improving People’s Lives

This document outlines in the broadest sense how the wide range of green spaces – from parks and gardens to city farms, country parks, woodlands and wildlife sites to play areas, allotments to urban plazas – bring benefits to poeople and cities, whether provided and managed by statutory agencies, local authorities or by community led and managed groups such as community gardens.

Using public transport could be better for health as well as the environment

September 24, 2010 - Using public transport could be better for your health – in more ways than one. Recent research has shown that bus passengers suffer less mental stress than their car-driving counterparts. Explore more issues relating to future transport issues at Travel 2020... more >

More than 90 per cent of the population use parks and green spaces: more green flag awards given this year

September 2, 2010 - Parks act as ‘green lungs’ in our most built-up areas and are important to people. This year, a record number of Green Flag and Pennant Awards have been given to some of the best parks and green spaces in the country. more >

Toolkit to support planners and developers to understand place-making and support the creation of vibrant places

August 26, 2010 - The Living Places Culture and Sport Planning Toolkit has received recognition from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as a best practice product for place making. more >

Access to Nature programme funds 29 new projects in England’s towns and cities

July 7, 2010 - Thanks to 5.8m of new grants from the Access to Nature programme, thousands of people in towns and cities all over England will have the chance to improve green spaces in their area and get closer to nature on their doorsteps. more >

Pensioners' playgrounds and public outdoor gyms: is UK finally following China and Spain's lead?

May 19, 2010 - Taking the lead from China, Spain and Manchester’s Dam Head Park, London's first specially-designed pensioners' playground has opened to the public in Hyde Park. Free, public outdoor fitness facilities for all ages, common sights in public parks and green spaces across China, Spain, Germany and much of Europe, are seemingly beginning to catch on in England. more >

Active Travel Strategy outlines plans to put walking and cycling at the heart of local transport and public health plans

February 25, 2010 - The Government wants to create a generation of new, safe cyclists according to Transport Minister Sadiq Khan. This is one of the aims of its new 'Active Travel Strategy', which outlines plans to put walking and cycling at the heart of local transport and public health strategies over the next decade, and aims to introduce access to cycle training for every child. more >

New 'Natural Health Service' focused on green spaces will involve a major expansion in health walks

July 23, 2009 - Natural England is to launch a ‘Natural Health Service’ focused on health benefits of green spaces. This will involves a major expansion in health walks, as new research reinforces the evidence of a link between lack of access to open spaces and obesity. more >

Walking Maps – Department of Transport

Maps have become an integral part of our lives. They often play a key role in the way businesses function, give people the confidence to walk further and more regularly, discover new places and lead healthier lives. The Department for Transport is keen to encourage walking to benefit both the individual and the communities in which we all live and work.

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