Linking Landscape Planning and Health

Abstract

Aims and measures in landscape planning often align with aims for positive health outcomes, even if these are not explicitly mentioned in the planning documents. This chapter examines whether, and if so how, health issues are already being tackled in formal and informal landscape planning instruments in Germany and the UK at present and how this could be enhanced in the future. Thus, the focus is on planning issues, practice and methods. In addition, health-promoting features of green spaces, regarding both single green spaces and entire green space systems, are considered, as well as a method for planning greenway systems for daily physical mobility. Addressing health issues in landscape planning is a necessary part of sustainable planning in order to be able to cope with future developments, such as increasing climate change impacts and accelerating societal changes. For this reason , interdisciplinary corporation between landscape planning and the health sector should be strengthened. Keywords Landscape planning · Open space planning · Local plans · Health promotion · Greenways for mobility · Green infrastructure Highlights Integrating health issues into landscape planning holds manifold benefits for both sides. • Potentials to include health issues in landscape planning are not yet fully used. • Considering human health in landscape planning can be done in different ways and with different intensities.