World Town Planning Day is an international day dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of planners and their contributions to their communities. On November 8, planners around the world participate in World Town Planning Day activities, a practice that began in 1949.

Historically, urban planning was driven by the need for sanitation to limit the spread of communicable diseases. While these changes led to vast improvements in health - a whole new area of concern was created. In particular, communities were designed to support the use of motor vehicles which led to a variety of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

To combat the growing obesity epidemic, the fields of planning and public health have diverged to design a new wave of healthy communities. There is a growing body of evidence to support this link between health and the built environment. As a result, Planners from the County of Grey and Health Promotion staff from the Grey Bruce Health Unit have developed a HEALTHY COMMUNITY CHECKLIST - A TOOL TO HELP GUIDE HEALTHY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. This tool has also been endorsed by the Bruce County Planning Department.

The intent of this resource is to support local Developers and Planners with neighbourhood design. "We are excited to have developed this resource in partnership with the County planning departments" says Jason Weppler, Health Promoter with the Grey Bruce Health Unit. "We look forward to seeing this resource in action."

With strong consideration given to the social determinants of health, communities are being constructed with the following principles in mind:

· Sidewalks, trails and bicycle lanes are included in design plans to support active transportation

· Communities have parks and green spaces while providing ample opportunity for shade

· Recreational areas and meeting places are accessible and welcoming to all

· Communities are designed with age friendly principles in mind

· A variety of safe and affordable housing for all ages and demographics are considered

· Residents have access to healthy food options

For more information on the Healthy Communities Checklist please visit https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Environment/Healthy-Communities under the Resources and Links section.

source: media release, Grey Bruce Health Unit