Healthy, happy places-a more integrated approach to creating health and well-being through the built environment?

Abstract

This paper explores how the built environment impacts upon health and well-being and suggests that there are opportunities for more integrated working between professionals and citizens to create healthier, happier places. Policy and practice guidance is presented from the urban planning and design fields. Evidence and data are presented from a range of disciplines on housing, green infrastructure and mental well-being. There is an overwhelming agreement around the principles and rationale of incorporating health in planning and design processes. These principles are not always implemented in practice. Challenges also exist around how different disciplines create and use evidence. More innovative ways of working which incorporates health, public health, planners, designers and citizens, which responds to the needs of communities, should be tested. Health and public health professionals can contribute to the evidence base using objective measures to assess the impact of the built environment on mental health and well-being.