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
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.