Can the implementation of net gain requirements in England's planning system be applied to health?

Stewart-Evans, James; Koksal, Caglar; Chang, Michael

Abstract

This Personal View considers the relationship between spatial planning and health and the potential benefits of requiring health net gain from land use decisions and new developments. We explore how a health net gain objective could be applied in spatial planning policy and practice to improve people's health and wellbeing, using England's implementation of a biodiversity net gain objective as a model. This Personal View emphasises the need for a systems approach to the definition and strategic coordination of health gains, recognising the breadth of health determinants and inter-related economic, environmental, and social policy objectives. By considering the potential application of a net gain principle to health in spatial planning, we offer valuable insights into how the spatial planning system could be used to build the conditions of health creation. A road map is provided for exploration of health net gain in other national contexts in support of the operationalisation of global urban health initiatives.

Citation

Stewart-Evans, J., Koksal, C., & Chang, M. (2024). Can the implementation of net gain requirements in England's planning system be applied to health?. The Lancet Planetary Health, 8(3), e188-e196. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196%2824%2900001-9

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 9, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Mar 5, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-03
• Deposit Date: Jan 29, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 5, 2024
• Journal: The Lancet Planetary Health
• Electronic ISSN: 2542-5196
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 3
• Pages: e188-e196
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196%2824%2900001-9
• Keywords: spatial planning; health net gain; sustainable development; environmental net gain; biodiversity net gain; determinants of health
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/30513949
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542519624000019