Reuniting Planning and Health Conference 14 November 2014
Reuniting Planning and Health shared experience and expertise from leaders in the field of reuniting planning, place making and health, introducing fresh thinking to inform new ways of working in the context of local government reform. The event was opened by Belfast Lord Mayor, Cllr Nichola Mallon and addressed by Health Minister, Jim Wells, MLA. The keynote speaker was Riccardo Marini of the world renowned Gehl Architects. Other speakers at the conference included Gabriel Scally, World Health Organization, Hugh Ellis, Town and Country Planning Association and Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council.
Chair of Belfast Healthy Cities Nigel McMahon explained the rationale for the event.“One of the core activities of Belfast Healthy Cities is the promotion of a ‘Health in all Policies’ approach to policy development. We believe that responsibility for addressing health inequality and promoting wellbeing goes well beyond the Department of Health and actually cuts across all policy areas, both in central and local Government.
“Today’s event allowed us to share world leading expertise on how best to create cities for people and promote and to explore the economic benefits accrued by a city which is planned around the needs of its people. Among the attendees were planning officials from the new super councils, health officials anew visitors from GB, the Republic of Ireland and from Italy. We were delighted to have the quality and range of speakers in our city today to share their experience.”
Presentations
The 'Value' of Place: Cities are for People Riccardo Marini, Gehl Architects
Healthy cities: how planning shapes people and communities Gabriel Scally, WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments
Promoting healthy cities; how to create conditions to deliver Michael Harris, Royal Town Planning Association (RTPI)
Local government and planning reform: shaping healthier communities Suzanne Wylie,Belfast City Council
Workshops
Space and place in a healthy city Wendy Langham, Connswater Community Greenway
Exploring tools for reuniting planning and health Michael Chang,Town and Country Planning Association
Regeneration in a healthy city Ciaran Donnelly,DSD and James Hennessy,Paul Hogarth Company
