Connecting and strengthening communities in places for health and well-being

Abstract

A healthy built environment is one which connects citizens together to create a sense of community. These are influential determinants of good mental and physical health. This paper presents an overview of key research on how the built environment supports the development of community as part of creating and sustaining places for health and well-being. Formal public places such as town squares, plazas, parks and gardens cultivate community in numerous ways. Informal public places such as those in between buildings, on the street, at the train station and bus stop are also important for social encounters and interaction. Careful design of open space, neighbourhood streets and buildings can encourage human interaction as part of community creation. Evidence is presented here as a ‘Places Framework’ to illuminate the ways in which place strengthens community. The paper concludes by discussing and critically evaluating policy implications for urban planners and designers. Major gaps in the research are identified and suggestions made for future investigative work to strengthen the evidence for building healthy communities through built environment interventions.

Keywords:

• healthy planning
• places framework
• community building
• open space
• neighbourhood design
• safety

Acknowledgements

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Third World Planning Schools Congress, Perth (WA), 4–8 July 2011. The comments of two anonymous reviewers were helpful in refining our paper.