The way a community is designed can impact health and well-being in several ways including physical, mental, social and economic.
“The health of a community is not just about the health of the people but about the healthfulness of their environmental, social and economic conditions and of the community, social and political processes that lead to the shaping of those conditions.” Healthy Communities Practice Guide (2014) 1
Chronic Diseases and Conditions
Community design can play a key role in combating the risk factors for chronic diseases and conditions such as: 23
coronary heart disease
non-insulin dependent diabetes (Type II)
overweight and obesity
high blood pressure and stroke
cancers
respiratory ailments
osteoporosis
stress and depression
‘Healthy’ Community Design
Healthy community design involves the planning and design of communities that make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to live healthy, active and safe lifestyles. One method is to use the 8 80 Cities approach where cities are designed for both an 8 year old and an 80 year old. By approaching community design in this way it is possible to create environments that are healthy for everyone.4
Healthy community design links the traditional concepts of planning such as:
Healthy community design focuses on both the built environment (human-made features such as buildings, roads, parks, etc.) and the natural environment (natural features such as green spaces, trees, rivers, etc.).5 The strategies used will vary depending on whether it is an urban or a rural community.67
The use of healthy community design leads to places that:
are safe
contribute to a high quality of life
provide a strong sense of belonging & identity, and
offer access to a wide range of health-promoting options
7Healthy Rural Communities Locally Driven Collaborative Team. (2015). Healthy Rural Communities Took Kit: A Guide for Rural Municipalities. Retrieved from https://www.ruralhealthycommunities.ca/toolkit
