The need for higher density neighbourhoods to support heart health
We’ve recently been working with leading academics from university institutions across the country to prepare an evidence paper presenting the latest research on housing density. Specifically, the impact density has on walkable, liveable local neighbourhoods and resulting levels of physical activity and heart health.
All quotes are taken direct from the evidence paper, available on Healthy Active by Design at the link below.
‘Density is the cornerstone of a healthy liveable neighbourhood, because without adequate densities, there are insufficient people to support nearby local destinations (e.g. shops, public transport, healthcare)’.
‘There is substantial evidence that living in low-density urban sprawl located far from city centres, with limited access to essential services, retail, job opportunities and infrequent public transport, adversely affects cardiovascular health.’
‘The adverse health, environmental and economic impacts of urban sprawl have prompted a pivot towards urban planning strategies that ensure more people live close to shops, services and public transport. This shift is welcome because, if done well, it will encourage more walking, wheeling, bike riding and public transport use, and reduce car dependency with multiple health, environmental, economic and community benefits.’
Across Australia, many neighbourhoods have densities that are too low to support walking, and more can be done to help ‘meet the minimum 5,700 people per km2 population density (i.e. 25 dwellings per hectare) threshold recommended to achieve World Health Organization physical activity guidelines’.
‘If well-planned and carefully implemented, new residential areas with higher density, particularly medium-density housing, can encourage healthier behaviours that reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases’.
The paper also considers the role of mixed land use developments, noting that co-located ‘commercial and social infrastructure within residential zones, (enable) the mixing of residential housing with retail, office, healthcare and entertainment amenities. This allows people to live close to shops, services, employment and transport, enabling greater access to activities that support daily living across the life course, in line with the concepts of 15- or 20-minute neighbourhoods’.
Recommended actions identified in the paper to improve density for healthier communities are to:
- Develop vibrant and mixed-use neighbourhoods with access to daily living destinations within a walkable distance
- Locate higher-density housing in established areas of mixed-use developments and minimise air and noise pollution
- Provide safe and inclusive access to public transport and active transport infrastructure, such as footpaths and cycleways
- Create leafy, cool neighbourhoods by planting trees and providing public green space that caters to multiple user groups
- Design and construct health-promoting higher-density housing that caters to all populations
- Foster engagement between local communities and stakeholders, including vulnerable groups
You can read the full paper on our publications page: https://www.healthyactivebydesign.com.au/resources/publications_and_policies
The Heart Foundation gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organisations who have prepared this paper: Dr Sarah Foster, Dr Alexander Kleeman, Dr Melanie Lowe, Dr Lucy Gunn, Dr Chris de Gruyter, Dr Manoj Chandrabose, Dr Amanda Alderton, Dr Karen Villanueva, Distinguished Professor Neville Owen, Emerita Professor Billie Giles-Corti. Dr Nicole Edwards; University of Western Australia, Australian Urban Design Research Centre. Dr Joelie Mandzufas; University of Western Australia. Dr Jerome Rachele, Dr Rebecca Reid; Victoria University. Professor Thomas Astell-Burt; Sydney University. Professor Xiaoqi Feng; University of New South Wales.
Related projects:
Our interactive Community Walkability map helps community members to better visualise access to destinations within their walking catchment, and the role of density.
Our recent national survey, What Australia Wants: Neighbourhood Design, has found that people living in Australia want to live in neighbourhoods that support them to be physically active, including proximity to local destinations for everyday needs.