Retrofitting suburbia for health: Scenarios for neighbourhood planning

Barton, Hugh; Grant, Marcus

Abstract

Barton and Grant, discuss neighbourhood design in depth. The concept and importance of the ‘neighbourhood’ as a setting for health is presented. Spatial patterning of urban growth fits into a number of archetypes, dictated by either market forces or different ‘theories’ of planning. Each archetype is described together with the characteristics of the resultant neighbourhoods. In terms of the spatial determinants of health, some archetypes support health through more active travel, better access to local facilities, and reduced social exclusion; others frustrate these objectives. The balance between factors such as housing density, public transport and culturally determined travel preferences is explored through local trip data from 12 suburban neighbourhoods. The conclusions demonstrate that the challenge in developing healthier neighbourhoods is not just a technical issue but a matter of institutional priorities and public policy.

• Publication Date: Jun 11, 2015
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 225-238
• Book Title: The Routledge Handbook of Planning for Health and Well-Being: Shaping a Sustainable and Healthy Future
• ISBN: 9781138023307
• Keywords: neighbourhood planning, healthy neighbourhoods
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/832796
• Publisher URL: https://www.routledge.com/products/9781138023307