The Landscape Institute (LI) has expressed its encouragement with the NHS England announcement of the Heathy New Towns Programme.
LI president Noel Farrer said:
‘ NHS England announcement on the Healthy New Towns programme is an important development for improving public health. Treating ill health is overstretching the public purse so finding ways of reducing demand on health services through prevention beyond more traditional programmes can only be encouraged.
“Although the programme is a good initiative, it’s just the start and we need the approach to be extended to those places outside of the programme. A more creative, collaborative approach to the planning, design and management of our towns and cities will result in urban landscapes that are rich, varied and truly multifunctional.”
He added:
“‘The Landscape Institute has championed the role green infrastructure can play in tackling ill health. We believe significant improvements in health and wellbeing can be achieved by integrating nature into the fabric of our towns and cities. In doing so not only will urban populations be healthier, but a huge number of other benefits will be gained for society, the economy and the environment.”
Healthy New Towns are new housing developments across England that are looking to develop innovative healthcare facilities from scratch and create neighbourhoods that support health and wellbeing for the needs of the local population.