The latest from London: environment and health professionals need more cohesion

Annalise V Johns, London-based urban designer brings us the latest discussions from some of the most interesting urban design discussions around London.
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Last week, I was fortunate to attend the Government’s first Design Quality and Housing Conferences in over a decade. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government hosted the Design Quality Conference: Achieving Well-Design Places. The opening statement was made by Dominic Raab MP, Minister for Housing and the closing addresses were given by Lord Taylor of Goss and Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. There were a wide range of attendees including: Housing Associations, Developers, The Design Council, Homes England, Historic England, Local Authorities. The representation at this conference reunited the UK’s built environment industry. The chosen format for the event consisted of four break-out sessions focused on different themes; Engagement, Innovation, Influence from Youth, and Tools. While the themes appeared to be diverse, there was a clear and over riding message that design quality was vital for the promotion of health and wellbeing of present and future generations. Unfortunately, it was evident that there is presently a general lack of cohesion across this sector, and poor communication over the last decade has led to a significant oversight of and appreciation for the built environment in the UK. Nevertheless, while it is useful to critically conduct a self examination, a Swedish delegate suggested that the successful marrying of the modern designs to historic ones made UK cities unique in their efforts to enrich culture and enshrine localism, that was worth replicating.
 
Generating strategies to improve health and well-being pervaded every aspect of the conference. A recent article in the Lancet on Shaping cities for health reminded readers that the WHO’S Healthy Cities movement was now 30 years old and nowhere had the influence of this movement been more effectively adapted than in China. “By 2015, 259 of the 769 cities in China achieved the national Hygienic Standard. {…} The health movement has contributed greatly to the increased life expectancy of the Chinese people, from 35 years in the 1950’s to {…} 76 years in 2015.” It is apparent that Chinese policy makers are well aware that “health must be integrated in urban policies by widening participation and considering the ramifications on health of all decisions.” Here in the UK, 10 NHS Healthy New Towns have been launched. In light of this, an influential health think tank, The King’s Fund, recently published an extensive report entitled “Housing and Health: opportunities for sustainability and transformation partnerships.” (4) In addition, a bold decision has been made by the NHS to move Public Health back into local authorities in 2012, with the intention of integrating health “in urban policies by widening participation and considering the ramifications on health of all decisions”.
 
Publications describing policies and initiatives appear to be a stronger in the NHS than in the built environment industry, the absence of health professionals from this conference merely demonstrated how behind the UK is with the take up of the WHO’s Healthy Cities movement. Furthermore, sustained efforts to follow up on the good intentions expressed in this conference are now needed. A combination of environmental and health professionals are now required to come together to design and implement a comprehensive response that will address such pressing issues as: the impact of an aging population, affordable housing for the young, etc. This conference was the perfect opportunity to make those introductions, fingers crossed it won’t be another ten years for the follow up.

About the Author

Based in London as an Urban Designer for the past 15 years, Annalise V Johns specialises in designing multifaceted spaces that improve environmental resilience while maximising social determinants of health. Her experience with complex places means she is called on to provide solutions focused on sustainable transport, sustainable drainage and air quality improvements based on evidence and innovation.