Planning for Better Living

The population of the world seek out opportunities in the big cities, and now around 70% of humanity live in the urban environment.

They are seeking economic advancement, but all too often they find themselves living in poor housing with little access to the things they need to stay healthy and happy. The United Nations, together with the World Health Organisation, have recognised this trend within their Development Goal 11 (UNDG11), to make “cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Giving people the chance to stay healthy is central to this goal.

Local governments, as they make their local plans, are increasingly taking notice of the need to make towns and cities more liveable, and Worthing is no exception. The term sustainability can mean different things to different people, but there are a number of key ambitions that are similar, wherever those plans are being made and put into action.

Making It Easy To Get Around

Planners are striving to make it easier to travel around your community without using your internal combustion engine (ICE) car. Walking, cycling and public transport will be increasingly favoured. Reduced congestion and harmful exhaust emissions, with ensuing better urban air quality, will lead on to better health.

Green spaces allow people to get out of their cars, and mental health can be improved by getting closer to nature on a regular basis. There is also the boost to the ecosystem, with more birds and insects adding to the biodiversity of the city.

Building The Ev Charging Points

Bryan Turner MRPharmS

Building an EV charging system does little to reduce congestion, but at least it will encourage the shift to zero emission vehicles with the benefit of better urban air quality. EV charging points are now popping up around the streets in Worthing. Councils could go further and install more charging points in their car parks.

Access To Green Spaces

Improve Water Infrastructure

Clean and plentiful water together with efficient waste treatments are a key component to a liveable city. Planners should work with water companies to make better use of new technology, to monitor water systems and reduce leaks. Residents and businesses could be helped to save rain water, for example, by providing free or heavily subsidised water butts.

Urban Farming

This is a new term but it is not a new concept. In Worthing we have a proud tradition of allotments. This provision has the potential to meet the growing demand for local (and perhaps organic) food, to boost local economies, to make the best use of under-used urban spaces and to reduce the impact of long supply chains.

Green Architecture

Planning for a Better Life

Access to parks and other green spaces, including beaches, is a key element for allowing urban residents to have improved quality of life. Green spaces allow people to get out of their cars, and mental health can be improved by getting closer to nature on a regular basis. There is also the boost to the ecosystem, with more birds and insects adding to the biodiversity of the city. Planning authorities may look at the prospect of urban parks, for example, old landfill sites.

Today, architects and planners are finding ways to design buildings that reduce energy use, by rediscovering natural building materials and new ways to incorporate solar panels into the fabric of the building. Ventilation and insulation can be improved and shade can be used to reduce air conditioning demand. The cities of the future will be better connected, and higher levels of infrastructure development and management by local authorities will lead to better “liveability” for residents.