SPAHG is a group of planning and health experts: academics, practitioners and community representatives, seeking to improve public health through the positive use of spatial planning. The group aims to study, promote and disseminate knowledge on the relationship between spatial planning and health, and to promote policies and action based upon evidence.
Members of SPAHG first convened as part of NICE’s Spatial Planning and Health Programme Development Group. At the conclusion of that research in November 2010, SPAHG was formed to take forward the work of developing and implementing key themes and actions.
SPAHG’s report ‘Steps to Healthy Planning: Proposals for Action‘, published June 2011, is available to download.
The next meeting of the Spatial Planning and Health Group will be on Tuesday 22 May from 5.00.p.m. read
The SPAHG Annual General Meeting will take place at 5 pm on Wednesday 25th January at the Homes and Communities Agency’s Maple House office, in London. Please contact Tim Chapman if you are planning to attend.
The Journal of Environment and Public Health is inviting submission of papers on the built environment and health. read
SPAHG has today submitted a response to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework. read
In recent years much evidence has accumulated which shows just how important the physical, social and economic environment in which we live and work is for our health. Many of the issues that spatial planners are responsible for, interact with human health and can, if we get them right, contribute to improving our physical and mental health, and diminish inequalities in health. Decisions about local transport and open space, for example, can have long-term consequences on health. read
A one-day conference explored how spatial planning can deliver improved outcomes for the health and well-being of neighbourhoods and communities.
SPAHG Chair Tim Chapman has worked with colleagues at the University of the West of England and RTPI on an academic article exploring the relationship between health and spatial planning.
