Govt planning ''encourages health problems''

The government should make better use of planning laws so that city living does not encourage the onset of health problems like obesity and asthma, according to one expert.

Dr David Haslam from the National Obesity Forum says that health concerns are not being integrated into the design and management of urban areas enough and that health impact assessments must become a bigger part of the planning process.

He said: "The increased urban sprawl is bad for all sorts of things really.

"It is bad for asthma and respiratory infections but particularly obesity because it is less safe to walk the streets and there is always the temptation to ride everywhere by car."

One way of planning buildings to counteract laziness is to make sure the stairs are clearly visible from the entrance to the building.

In terms of workplace improvements, measures could include the building of showers and bike racks so that workers are encouraged to cycle to the office.

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has produced a report highlighting that the lack of green areas in cities and low air quality levels are contributing to health problems.


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