ABSTRACT

City of Well-being provides a radical and holistic introduction to the science and art of town planning. It starts from the premise that the purpose of planning is the health, well-being and sustainable quality of life of people. Drawing on current and historic examples it offers inspiration, information and an integrated perspective which challenges all professions and decision-makers that affect the urban environment. It is both authoritative and readable, designed for students, practitioners, politicians and civil society.

The science. Summarizing the most recent research, the book demonstrates the interrelationships between the huge issues of obesity, unhealthy lifestyles, inequality, mental illness, climate change and environmental quality. The radical implications for transport, housing, economic, social and energy policies are spelt out.

The art and politics. The book examines how economic development really happens, and how spatial decisions reinforce or undermine good intentions. It searches for the creative strategies, urban forms and neighbourhood designs that can marry the ideal with the real. The relationship of planning and politics is tackled head-on, leading to conclusions about the role of planners, communities and development agencies in a pluralistic society. Healthy planning principles could provide a powerful logical motivation for all practitioners.

chapter I|30 pages

ORIENTATION

part II|1 pages

INSPIRATION

chapter 3|15 pages

SHAFTS OF LIGHT FROM THE PAST

chapter 4|16 pages

THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN PLANNING

chapter 5|16 pages

BEACONS OF HOPE

part III|2 pages

COGNITION: the science of healthy urban environments

chapter 6|14 pages

PHYSICAL HEALTH, LIFESTYLE AND PLANNING

chapter 7|15 pages

PLANNING FOR MENTAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING

chapter 8|12 pages

PLANNING FOR PLACE EQUITY

chapter 9|13 pages

CLIMATE CHANGE AND SETTLEMENT PLANNING

chapter 10|16 pages

THE LOCAL ECOLOGY OF CITIES

chapter 12|20 pages

SUSTAINABLE URBAN FORM

chapter 13|19 pages

HEALTHY NEIGHBOURHOOD DESIGN

chapter 14|13 pages

URBAN DYNAMICS

part V|2 pages

PERSPIRATION: land, power and process

chapter 15|11 pages

THE GOVERNANCE OF LAND

chapter 17|23 pages

PUTTING PRINCIPLE INTO PRACTICE

chapter |4 pages

EPILOGUE