How to build healthier communities — and people
8 August 2023
By Gillian Rutherford, Folio
Step into the Telford Mews mixed-income housing development in Leduc, Alta., and one of the first things you’ll notice is the wide, naturally lit stairwell and an invitation: “Wanna feel better? Take the stairs!”
The move-in package includes a map showing the easiest routes to walk or take the bus from your new home to nearby recreation and health-care facilities, churches, grocery stores and the farmers market.
The recently opened six-floor development is one of three pilot projects designed to demonstrate how building and site design and neighourhood amenities can help bring Canada’s new Healthy Community Guidelines to life to promote physical activity, healthy eating and social connections.
The guidelines were released this month by the University of Alberta’s Housing for Health initiative, with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The guidelines are based on nearly three years of consultation and collaboration with more than 100 partners from across the country, including public and private sector urban planners, architects, developers, health-care and public health professionals, and community leaders.
“I think people will be surprised by the breadth of these strategies to promote healthy living,” says Housing for Health director Karen Lee, associate professor of preventive medicine. “Many of them can be done at minimal to no extra cost — whether it’s a new build, a renovation or even retrofitting infrastructure that may not yet be due for renovation — with things like art, coloured paint and wayfinding signage to healthy amenities.”