Changing Urban Design to Support Healthy, Active Lifestyles

The urban environment in Counties Manukau supports increased physical activity levels
and improved social cohesion.

Urban design environments impact on our lifestyles and subsequently our health.  This action area seeks to ensure all new development and redevelopments in the district encourage and support improved physical activity and health outcomes.

There are a number of areas Let’s Beat Diabetes (LBD) wishes to influence urban design. They include:

• Park design and redevelopments
• Urban planning and design
• Urban developments and redevelopments
• Public transport and active transport infrastructure issues, and
• Enhanced access and opportunities to be physically active.

From 2005 Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) and Manukau City Council have led activity in this action area on behalf of the Let's Beat Diabetes Programme. They continue to deliver as key stakeholders with Papakura District Council and Housing New Zealand Corporation.

Key initiatives within the Urban Design Action Area include:

Establishing an Urban Design Leadership Hub

A leadership hub is being established to guide work in this action area and enhance alignment and collaboration. Membership to include CMDHB, ARPHS, Housing New Zealand Corporation, Counties Manukau Sport, Franklin District Council, Manukau City Council and Papakura District Council. Members will facilitate access to internal decision-making processes, community engagement, and act as a forum for cross-organisation information sharing.

An initial projection from the leadership hub wil be the development of a directory of key players in the urban design/health interface in Counties Manukau.

Health Impact Assessments

In 2005/6, ARPHS funded a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) focusing on a component of the Mangere town centre development.

In 2007/8, ARPHS, on behalf of Let's Beat Diabetes, project-led a further HIA in Counties Manukau on the McLennan Housing Development (ex Military Camp) in Papakura/Takakini. The HIA assessment had a particular emphasis on the impact of 'physical activity'.

The HIA provides a tool to facilitate the incorporation of health issues in local decision-making in an appropriate manner, and to further enhance partnerships between the health sector, local government and Housing New Zealand.

Advocating for Health

ARPHS will, on behalf of LBD, continue an advocacy role on aspects of urban design, liaising with Councils and HNZC on issues of significance in local policy and planning.

ARPHS also works with Councils to ensure opportunites for physical activity and access to services and amenities are enhanced. This includes free access to recreation facilities and swimming pools, safe cycling paths, walkways and pedestrian crossings particularly around schools, and safe parks.

Counties Manukau District Health Board will participate in some planning activities and will facilitate linkages on specific health sector issues relating to urban design, such as primary care development.

CM Sport have a particular interest in the orientation of urban design to support physical activity.

Building a health-promoting transport system

CMDHB, ARPHS, CMSport, MCC, PDC and FDC (linking with ARTA, ARTNL, On-Track and other interested organisations) will collaborate in developing health-promoting public transport. This includes supporting active transport such as walking and cycling.

CMDHB, ARPHS and CM Sport will work with the local Councils on issues of significance on a case-by-case basis. Activiy will include engage Councils in the development of public transport provision with a view to enhancing linkages to pedestrian and cycle routes and to local services in order to maximise the health potential of public transport and enhance opportunities for physical activity.

It is anticipated that development of an exemplar model will create increased public demand and expectations for infrastructure development. This will in turn influence organisational decision-making to consider attendant impacts on physical activity and health as developments occur.