Healthy Urban Environments Communities of Practice

The Illawarra Shoalhaven region is experiencing a period of rapid population growth and urban development. At the same time, there are long-term health implications that will result from climate change that require urgent action. We know that the way our cities are planned and designed play a critical role in shaping how we live, move, interact, breathe, eat and seek shelter from extreme weather. Creating built and natural environments that encourage people to walk, cycle, be physically active, use public transport, connect with others, and are cool and inclusive, can contribute to lifelong health and wellbeing.

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Our aim

A regional Community of Practice on Healthy Urban Environments will build networks between built environment practitioners, public health practitioners, academics, and communications specialists to exchange best practices, and advocate for scaling up the implementation of health-enhancing urban policies.

The Objectives

  • Build the capacity and capability of HCI to champion the principles and practices of healthy urban planning and design.
  • Increase the number of local SMEs who engage with the CoP and have opportunity to exchange best practice and develop skills in healthy urban planning and design.
  • Provide expert urban health feedback to all levels of government that are involved in planning, designing and developing community infrastructure in the Illawarra Shoalhaven
  • Relieve pressure on the healthcare system by reducing the burden attributable to preventable diseases which can be mitigated through the urban planning and design systems.

What’s involved

Guided by the principles and practices of healthy urban planning and design, the HUE CoP works to:

Create connections and increase capability

Facilitate local connections between diverse SMEs to exchange best practice, develop new skills and provide expert feedback on local urban health issues.

Advocate and influence policy

Scale up the implementation of health-enhancing urban policies that will benefit the communities of Illawarra Shoalhaven.

Educate and empower communities

Drive the healthy urban environments conversation in the Illawarra to increase local awareness, grow understanding about the public health impact of urban planning & design, and enable participation in community consultations.

How it works

The HUE COP is establishing a local network of professionals in healthy urban planning and design to share their skills and knowledge and exchange ideas for best practice. It draws on the diverse expertise of its members to develop the principles and practices of healthy urban planning and design in Illawarra Shoalhaven. The Community of Practice also engages in advocacy and lobbying of relevant bodies to improve healthy urban planning and design in Illawarra Shoalhaven.

It provide subject matter expertise to urban planning and policy processes in order to prioritise healthy urban planning and design at the regional level. These activities are carried out through internal communication channels and regular meetings and occasional public meetings and events intended to raise awareness among decision-makers and the broader community about the benefits of healthy urban planning and design.

Get in touch to be involved or if you have any questions. 

Membership of the Community of practice is open to built environment professionals, public health practitioners, academics, communication specialists, and anyone with specific expertise in healthy urban planning and design in the Illawarra Shoalhaven. Non-specialists who are interested in the work are invited to join the Friends of the COP.

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