Belfast Healthy Cities has launched a publication entitled “Healthy Places: Strong Foundations” to mark World Health Day which takes place today. (7th April). Belfast Healthy Cities wants to highlight that Belfast, as a leading WHO European Healthy City, should be asking questions like ‘How does the way we build our environment affect our wellbeing?’ and ‘Can our living conditions improve our health as well as our economy?’

The publication highlights how the built environment shapes people’s everyday living conditions and through it people’s health and wellbeing. It demonstrates how land use that supports local services and facilities, green and open spaces and good connectivity can underpin improved health and wellbeing, for example through encouraging physical activity. The publication goes on to stress how good use of land can ultimately contribute to a vibrant and sustainable economy, through a healthier population

Joan Devlin, Director of Belfast Healthy Cities, is currently in Geneva at WHO global headquarters, where she is chairing a round table discussion about health impact assessments applied to urban development  policies and plans. Speaking from the WHO event in Geneva Joan Devlin said:

“Our latest publication “Healthy Places: Strong Foundations,” highlights how policies and decisions on the built environment shape health, as they influence people’s ability to access jobs, services and leisure opportunities, be physically active, and build social networks. We believe the quality of the built environment is vital for reducing inequalities in health, which cause both individual suffering and societal loss, through unused human potential.

“An important message from the publication is that a healthy population contributes to a prosperous and sustainable society, through greater productivity, innovation and ability to maintain high skill levels.

“The publication highlights that it is imperative that all those involved in land use planning, transport and housing collaborate together to ensure that the built environment has a positive effect on people’s health and not a negative one. This should also include engagement with the local community and local organisations to ensure that proposals developed are as effective as possible.”

Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency said:

““World Health Day this year focuses on urbanization and health. This publication highlights the links between health and the built environment and will be a helpful tool for developing future collaboration in this area and contribute to improving public health.”

Hard copies are available by contacting the Belfast Healthy Cities office at 028 90328811 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it