Health unit offers land-use guidance to municipalities
Peterborough Public Health releases reports for official plan reviews
The health unit released reports Wednesday that will offer direction to both the city and county on land-use decisions for the next two decades.
Peterborough Public Health has created two documents to help the municipalities with their official plan review process.
The city and county are both in the middle of creating new official plans for land-use decisions from now until 2041.
Peterborough Public Health officials see the review as an opportunity to consider how residents, of all ages and abilities, can thrive, be healthy and resilient in the community, according to a release from the health unit.
The health unit’s reports were developed using emerging research, local data and policy examples.
Now operating under the new Ontario Public Health Standards, Ontario’s health boards are required to assist municipalities with their reviews.
Janet Dawson, a health promoter at the agency, is the lead author of the reports.
“There is growing evidence demonstrating that the way our communities are planned, designed and built can support healthier lifestyles and behaviours; thereby reducing the amount of chronic diseases and conditions,” Dawson stated in a release.
Many policy levers that do this are at the control of municipalities in areas such as planning, transportation, parks and recreation, and housing, she added.
The reports both focus on five areas, including community design, transportation systems, housing, food systems, and natural environments.
Recommendations are offered under each focus area, with examples of why it matters and how it impacts health, for instance.
Dawson stated that the health unit was excited to release the reports to the municipalities to act as tool kits for officials.
“We … hope that the information will educate, raise awareness, and encourage the implementation of the key policies that will help make the city and county of Peterborough a healthy community for all current and future residents,” Dawson wrote.
NOTE: To access Peterborough Public Health’s reports, go to www.peterboroughpublic health.ca