Environment, Wellbeing and Healthy Lifestyle Conference

Guest Posting

Date of the event: 21st October 2009
Organised by: Staffordshire University
Venue: Best Western, Stoke on Trent
Reported by: Jane Friend, Development Manager, Groundwork NW

I attended the event to promote Groundwork's contribution to the improvement of the environment and health. A link to all presentations can be found at Staffordshire University

Speakers came from far and wide (the furthest away, Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency) to talk about a diverse range of topics linking to how the environment impacts on the health and wellbeing of communities and individuals.

What did I learn?
1. Marcus Sangster from the Forestry Commission reaffirmed the importance of access to a quality environment. Marcus gave a historical perspective to the positive effects of the environment on health. He felt that we had come full circle since the Kinder Trespass and that like then the full benefits of access to the environment are now being recognised again. To reflect the importance placed on health and wellbeing by a new project called NHS forest has been launched which aims to plant 1.3 million trees on NHS Estates.

2. Maximise the potential of green space. The quality of green space really matters when looking at the impact of the environment and health.

3. Edward Hobson from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment explained that places are shaped by history, typography and resources. Legacy means that some communities are better off than others in the same way vulnerable communities will be more affected by climate change. This is because the areas with the least green space will be the hottest areas. To counteract this, communities need to adapt by changing behaviour into every day life to build resilience to unavailable consequences of climate change.

4. Hugh Barton from WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Urban Policy described how urban planning that takes into account access to public transport can increase the number of episodes of walking and cycling in an area. He pointed out the where people reside should be 800 metres from public transport should be multi model so that people can pick either the quickest or healthiest route.

5. Health Impact Assessments should be integrated into the planning process.

The event organiser Jon Fairburn did mention that the turn out to the event had doubled since last year. Baring in mind the success of this year’s event it looks like a bigger venue might be needed next year!