Improving Health and Well-Being

The planning system has an active role to play in helping to better the lives of people and communities in Northern Ireland and in supporting the Executive's key priority of improving health and well-being. For the purpose of the SPPS the Department supports the World Health Organisation's definition of health as 'a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity'. It is widely recognised that well designed buildings and successful places can have a positive impact on how people feel. The way in which places and buildings are configured, patterns of movement in the space around us and the level of access to quality open space are all factors that can make us feel good. Successful places also influence the choices we make which may contribute positively to improving our health and well-being e.g. whether to walk or cycle, or whether to stay longer in a good place.