News - Planet Health Cymru launched at walking and cycling conference

15th November 2010

Planet Health Cymru, a new web resource for all those working in the built and natural environment and health was launched at the third annual walking and cycling conference

The resource encourages collaborative working and provides information and signposting to the planning sector; allowing them to incorporate health considerations in their decision making on future developments.

It was developed by the Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks Wales, managed by Public Health Wales.

Planet Health Cymru (Planning for Environment, Transport and Health) www.planethealthcymru.org seeks to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for people working in health, the green and urban environments, design and architecture, regeneration, sustainability, transport and community development amongst others.

The Welsh Assembly Government aims to encourage physical activity and give due prominence to walking and cycling through development and infrastructure planning and decision making. The new website is one means of supporting this aim, set out in Planning Policy Wales and Creating an Active Wales.

The work has been led by the Physical Activity and Nutrition Networks Wales working with a wide-ranging advisory board which includes representatives from the Welsh Assembly Government, Royal Town Planners Institute, Welsh Local Government Association, Design Commission Wales, Institute of Civil Engineers, Centre for Regeneration Excellence in Wales, the transport consortia and Countryside Council for Wales.

Su Mably, Consultant in Public Health for Public Health Wales who oversaw the development of the project commented,

“We have the opportunity to learn from the lessons of the past, for example the tower blocks built in the 1950s and 1960s, when not much consideration was given to how these homes would impact on residents’ mental, social and physical health.

“Planet Health Cymru is an excellent tool which will allow all those working in planning, regeneration, transport, design and health to consider the health of the local people when developing new projects.”

The Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson said:

“Today’s Walking and Cycling conference is all about encouraging people in Wales to make healthy and sustainable travel choices.

“If we are to succeed in this ambition we must make walking and cycling as safe and easy as possible. The planning of our villages, towns and cities is key to this and I am delighted that the Planet Health Cymru web resource will help to ensure that health considerations are fully factored into the planning process.”

Dr Tony Jewell, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, added: “It is important to give people information to enable them to make informed choices in an effort to improve their health and well-being. It is crucial to make health choices, easy choices. How we plan and build our towns and cities is key to making easier choices – making it easier for people to walk or cycle to the shops or to school, rather than use the car, or to have local spaces to walk or relax.”

For further information please visit the website,  www.planethealthcymru.org