Healthy Active by Design

Welcome to Healthy Active by Design, a website created by the Heart Foundation to highlight how best-practice planning and design of buildings, streets, towns and cities can improve Australians’ heart health.

This website is a practical guide that offers evidence, advice and examples to assist with the development of healthy and active neighbourhoods.

Get started by viewing our Introductory Training Resource or explore the Design Features below:

Design Features

Public Open Space

Public Open Space

A range of walkable, appealing and public open spaces helps meet recreational, play and social needs.
Community Facilities

Community Facilities

Co-located and integrated facilities, such as schools and recreation facilities, maximise community interaction and efficiency of travel.
Buildings

Buildings

Design buildings and sites that specifically support increased levels of physical activity, whether incidental or deliberate.
Destinations

Destinations

Create compact mixed-use neighbourhoods which include employment, education, public transport and fresh food outlets.
Movement Networks

Movement Networks

Facilitate safe and convenient travel within neighbourhoods through accessible and connected walking, cycling and public transport routes.
Housing Diversity

Housing Diversity

Housing density and diversity can support critical infrastructure, connect neighbourhoods and help people age in place.
Sense of Place

Sense of Place

A sense of community emerges when residents have opportunities to meet and interact in attractive places of interest.
Healthy Food

Healthy Food

Planning for food demands focus on production space, transport infrastructure and availability and access to healthy food outlets.

What is Healthy Active by Design?

About us

Read about who we are, what we do and why planning for health is important.
Read more
News and Events

Stay up to date with the latest Healthy Active by Design news and planning events throughout the country.
See what's happening
Get in touch

Have a question? Send us a message and we'll get back to you.
Contact us
Healthy Active Ageing Module

The latest evidence, practical advice and resources to develop healthy active ageing neighbourhoods and communities.
View the Module

Featured

Healthy Active Ageing Module

Informing best practice for improvements to the walkability of Australia’s places and spaces, meeting the needs of our rapidly ageing population.

Learn more

Design Features

Public Open Space

Public Open Space

Community Facilities

Community Facilities

Buildings

Buildings

Destinations

Destinations

Movement Networks

Movement Networks

Housing Diversity

Housing Diversity

Sense of Place

Sense of Place

Healthy Food

Healthy Food

What is Healthy Active by Design?

What is Healthy Active by Design?

About us

News and Events

Get in touch

Healthy Active Ageing Module

Healthy Active Ageing Module

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