How can land development enhance public health and well-being?

1 Health benefits of green spaces

One of the most beneficial ways to enhance public health and well-being is through land development that creates and preserves green spaces, such as parks, gardens, forests, wetlands, or trails. These spaces can have a positive effect on physical and mental health by improving air quality, reducing noise pollution, promoting physical activity and reducing obesity, enhancing mood and reducing stress, fostering social interaction and community cohesion, as well as supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. To maximize the potential benefits of these green spaces, land development should strive to provide accessible, diverse, and well-maintained green spaces that meet the needs and preferences of different groups and ages.

2 Health risks of urban sprawl

Urban sprawl, characterized by low-density, car-dependent, and dispersed development of urban areas, can have a negative impact on public health and well-being. For instance, it can increase greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change, reduce physical activity and lead to chronic diseases, expose residents to traffic accidents and air pollution, isolate residents and reduce social capital, and consume agricultural land and natural resources. To address these risks, land development should strive for compact, mixed-use, and transit-oriented development that reduces the need for car travel while promoting walking, cycling, and public transport.

3 Health implications of affordable housing

The provision and quality of affordable housing can have significant implications for public health and well-being. Affordable housing, which is suitable and affordable for low- and moderate-income households, can improve physical and mental health by reducing housing stress, overcrowding, and exposure to hazards. It can also enhance economic and social well-being by increasing disposable income, employment opportunities, and educational attainment. Moreover, it can facilitate social inclusion and diversity by preventing homelessness, discrimination, and segregation. Furthermore, it can enable access to health care and other services by improving location and mobility. To ensure these outcomes, land development should strive to increase the supply of quality affordable housing that meets the needs of different segments of the population.

4 Health opportunities of placemaking

Placemaking is an effective strategy land development can use to enhance public health and well-being. This collaborative process involves creating and improving public spaces that are meaningful and functional for the people who use them. Placemaking offers a variety of health opportunities, such as engaging residents in the planning and design of these spaces, creating a sense of identity and belonging among users, promoting social interaction and civic engagement, providing recreational activities, and increasing the aesthetic, environmental, and economic value of public spaces. To maximize these opportunities, land development should adopt a participatory, inclusive, and context-sensitive approach to placemaking that reflects the local culture, history, and needs of the community.

5 Health challenges of land development

Land development can offer many advantages for public health and well-being, yet there are several challenges that must be addressed and resolved. These challenges include balancing the interests of different actors and sectors involved in land development, integrating health considerations into land use planning and decision-making processes, assessing the health impacts of land development interventions, guaranteeing the sustainability and resilience of land development practices and outcomes, and tackling any health disparities that may arise from land development processes and outcomes. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to adopt a holistic, cross-sectoral, and evidence-based approach to land development that takes into account the health implications of land use policies and actions.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?