Transport design and health
In October 2016, a report published by Arup, BRE, University College London and AREA Research proposed that taking a new approach to designing city streets and other transport infrastructure could have a significant impact on public physical and mental health.
The report’s guidance comes as the NHS is placing increasing emphasis on wellbeing and prevention to help relieve pressure on its services. The number of people suffering chronic diseases, such as stroke, asthma and diabetes, is increasing, posing significant cost burdens on the NHS. The cost of treating diabetes-related conditions alone in the UK was £10 billion in 2011-2012.
The report, 'Health + Mobility: A design protocol for mobilising healthy living', aims to provide civic leaders, city planners and architects with a guidance protocol that can be applied in any urban setting. By taking a more holistic approach to transport design, cities can be helped to identify the health issues that can be influenced.
The research team of public health specialists and built environment professionals found that something as simple as the design of streets, pathways and other networks could have a significant impact on walking, cycling and other physical activities.
The Liverpool Knowledge Quarter in the UK was one of two locations chosen to test the transport design protocol in a real life setting.
The protocol’s application to the Liverpool site highlighted a range of measures that could be implemented to improve underlying health issues in the area. This included reducing the number of wide and busy roads, efficient transport planning and road layout changes and creating more attractive pedestrian and cycling networks.
These changes could facilitate a better street life, improve air quality and encourage people to be more physically active, and they have the potential to help the wider city of Liverpool move towards a healthier environment.
Helen Pineo, associate director for cities at BRE and one of the authors of the guidance, said: “The challenges are so great that they cannot be resolved by health services alone. Planners and designers all have a part to play in promoting health and wellbeing in our cities, and this protocol gives them the tools to create healthier places, without requiring a knowledge of the specialist language of the health sector.”
Professor Nick Tyler from University College London Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering’s Centre for Transport Studies said: “The way we move around the built environment can affect our health in a variety of ways – physically, sensorially and psychologically. By designing the environment to give positive health outcomes we can make a huge difference to people’s quality of life and healthcare needs.
The report, 'Health + Mobility: A design protocol for mobilising healthy living', is available free to download here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Car park.
- Compliant public transport node.
- Cycling and walking plan.
- Data-driven mobility.
- ECA backs joint rail electrification statement.
- Highways in England and Wales.
- Integrated transport system.
- Safe pedestrian route.
- Sustainable transport.
- Road traffic management.
- RORO shipping.
- The history of the dimensions and design of roads, streets and carriageways.
- Traffic and transport.
- Traffic engineering.
- Transport assessment.
- Travel plan.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.