Mainstream media continues to report on the obesity crisis in society. It is now a major socio-economic and financial issue which planning and planners in its wider social, economic and environmental role, must play its part. In other words, continuing with the status quo is not an option, and the planning process must play its role. This project is the next stage of the TCPA Reuniting Health with Planning initiative to look at ways in which planning and development of the built environment can contribute to encouraging healthier populations, in particular when bringing forward different development types through the planning process.
Local authority planners have a key role in creating places that enable people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. But they cannot do this on their own: planners must work closely with public health practitioners as well as other built and natural environment professionals, elected members and communities. This Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) publication, published in December 2014, highlights initiatives to reunite the public health and planning professions to create healthier, happier communities and places.