Providing supportive environments that encourage people of all ages and capacities to be active in their neighbourhoods, cities and towns is integral to increasing physical activity levels.
The Heart Foundation's Active by Design project is currently focusing on creating environments that support and encourage Australians to increase the amount that they walk, whether it is for recreation, social, health or transport.
In late 2005, the Heart Foundation began a national approach to promoting supportive environments for walking. This approach was built on the experience and resources developed through our previous state-based projects, such as Supportive Environments for Physical Activity (SEPA), Healthy by Design: a planner's guide to environments for active living resource, and other activities.
For more information, please email us.
About Active by Design
Active by Design involves:
- identifying opportunities to work with appropriate sectors, including planning, property development, transport, health, recreation and sport, environment, local government and education
- synthesis of the evidence relating to the link between the built environment and walking from an Australian perspective, considering the implications for policy and practice
- identifying appropriate resources for general and targeted distribution to both professionals and consumers
- consideration of suitable advocacy strategies for us to undertake.
Blueprint for an Active Australia
Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and some cancers. The growing prevalence of physical inactivity in Australia, coupled with the alarming rise in the number of Australians who are overweight or obese, is putting enormous strain on the Australian health system. Urgent action is required to prioritise the prevention of inactivity and overweight and obesity.
The Heart Foundation is proud to offer Blueprint for an active Australia, which provides a succinct summary of evidence and strategies to inform national policy and action plans to address physical activity and complement the Australian Government's recommendations for physical activity across the lifespan for all Australians.
The key action areas outlined in this document aim to address barriers to physical activity and support opportunities for all Australians to be active in their homes, neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces and communities.
Blueprint for an Active Australia accompanies other associated Heart Foundation documents, including Position statement. Built Environment and Walking and Healthy Spaces & Places, along with An Australian Vision for Active Transport, all of which provide the evidence base as well as concrete solutions and practical actions that can be implemented across Australia to increase Physical Activity.
Active Children
Enabling children to move around their neighbourhood, play freely and enjoy being outdoors is fundamental to their healthy development and well-being. Two presentations that explore this important topic are available.
What makes a city child-friendly? by Dr. Karen Malone
Active children and the urban environment by Professor John Whitelegg
Food-sensitive planning and urban design - New resource available now.
A conceptual framework for achieving a sustainable and healthy food system (FSPUD) is an approach to planning and urban design that addresses the critical intersects between public health nutrition; planning and urban design; and environmental sustainability. Find out more.