Building physical activity into urban planning and design
Resources available for built environment professionals to help guide in the development of active outdoor and indoor spaces.
The Heart Foundation and the built environment
Our evidence-based resources support relevant built environment, government and health professionals to make our cities and towns healthier places to live.
Guidelines and tools:
This web resource provides a 21st Century approach to healthy urban design and includes practical checklists, case studies, high-quality examples of projects from around the world with links to the evidence. | ||
Consumer preferences for healthy development. | ||
Streets play an important role in public life, beyond the movement of traffic. The Heart Foundation is calling on local government to ensure all Australians have safe streets for walking and cycling. Never has the diverse function of streets been more apparent as during the time of COVID-19. | ||
The Heart Foundation is working to make it easier for children to walk, cycle, and scoot safely to school. This study explores opportunities for cost-effective upgrades in active travel networks within the walking catchment of a school. | ||
Quality Green Space Supporting Health, Wellbeing and Biodiversity: A Literature Review (SA) (2017) | This literature review emphasises the important role of city planning to incorporate quality green spaces to support health benefits. | |
Impacts on physical activity and associated health outcomes. | ||
Does density matter? The role of density in creating walkable neighbourhoods (2014) | Does Density Matter is a discussion paper for residents, professionals and experts involved in planning and developing neighbourhoods. It highlights that well designed and located, higher density neighbourhoods are desirable and add value to our communities. | |
| Evidence review: Increasing density in Australia (2012) | Maximising the health benefits and minimising harm. | |
Discusses the benefits of making streets more walking and cycling friendly. | ||
The Neighbourhood Walkability Checklist is designed to help individuals and groups to survey their local walking environment. |
Our policy recommendations
Blueprint for an Active Australia (3rd edition) 2019 | Government and community actions to increase population levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in Australia. | |
This document outlines the Heart Foundation’s position on how the built environment influences walking by explaining the rationale, evidence and recommendations. |
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join our community of fundraisers who are committed to taking action to fight heart disease....
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Trek for Australian Hearts
Join the Heart Foundation in South Australia for the journey of a lifetime, trekking the ancient Flinders Ranges to help save Australian hearts....
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Feel healthier and happier in six weeks with a free Personal Walking Plan...
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
Support for young adults: Online events
A series of virtual events for young adults on managing emotional wellbeing. ...
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Week
Heart Week
Heart Week
May 3 – 9, 2021...
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Peter is breathing easy again after heart valve surgery
Peter is breathing easy again after heart valve surgery
Peter is breathing easy again after heart valve surgery
Peter has lived with a rare heart condition since he was 14, but hadn’t given it too much thought until his 30s....
Heart health information in your language
Heart health information in your language
A selection of heart health information brochures in a range languages...
Help others in need through a gift in your Will
Help others in need through a gift in your Will
Help others in need through a gift in your Will
Ian “did not hesitate” to leave 100% of his estate to the Heart Foundation....
WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020
WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020
WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020
The Heart Foundation is delivering a research webinar series for Heart Foundation research alumni....
Breakfast recipes
Breakfast recipes
Breakfast recipes
Heart healthy breakfasts to start your day right...
24-hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
24-hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
Blood pressure monitoring at home using a 24-hour blood pressure monitor test....
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Improving the design of our cities, towns, streets and buildings makes it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives....
Guidelines for the assessment and management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Guidelines for the assessment and management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Guidelines for the assessment and management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Position Description: Consumer Representative for the update of the Guidelines for the assessment and management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk ...
From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now
From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now
From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now
Claude Lam, Open heart surgery survivor...
Heart Foundation supports Wollongong City Council’s draft 10-year cycling strategy
Heart Foundation supports Wollongong City Council’s draft 10-year cycling strategy
Heart Foundation supports Wollongong City Council’s draft 10-year cycling strategy
Media Release - 30 June 2020 ...
Blood tests for heart disease
Blood tests for heart disease
Blood tests can measure the levels of substances such as blood fat to show if, and how much of, your heart has been damaged....
Research connect newsletter
Research connect newsletter
Research connect newsletter
The Research Connect Newsletter provides monthly updates on the Heart Foundation Research Program....
Healthy eating to protect your heart
Healthy eating to protect your heart
Healthy eating to protect your heart
What does a heart-friendly diet look like?...
Heart Age Calculator
Heart Age Calculator
Heart Age Calculator
Try our Heart Age Calculator to understand what contributes to your risk of heart disease....
Sorting out your finances after a heart attack
Sorting out your finances after a heart attack
Sorting out your finances after a heart attack
Explore how to manage your financial concerns after a heart attack. ...
The Heart Failure Toolkit
The Heart Failure Toolkit
The Toolkit provides health services with a targeted approach to addressing readmission rates and decreasing variation in care....
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse
WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse
WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse
This webinar discusses the role of practice nurses in conducting heart health checks...
What is plant-based eating
What is plant-based eating
What is plant-based eating
Learn about plant-based eating and its impact on heart health ...
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) clinical resources
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...