As the UK’s towns and cities continue to grow, the expectations placed on developers and local authorities are changing. Success is no longer measured solely by the number of homes delivered or the amount of commercial space created. Increasingly, the focus is on how places support people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life.

This shift comes at a critical moment. Rising health inequalities, growing pressure on public services, climate change and rapid urbanisation are creating new challenges for communities across the country. At the same time, there is growing evidence that the built environment plays a powerful role in determining health outcomes.

Healthy cities are designed to help people thrive. They encourage active lifestyles, improve access to nature, strengthen social connections and create environments that support both physical and mental wellbeing. For developers, investors and local authorities, creating healthier places is not simply a social responsibility. It is an opportunity to deliver long-term economic, environmental and community value.

Here are seven key principles that underpin successful healthy city development.

Prioritise Walkability and Active Travel

One of the most effective ways to improve public health is to make walking and cycling the easiest choices for everyday journeys.

The potential is significant. Around 30% of car journeys in Europe are less than 3km, while half are under 5km, distances that can often be completed on foot or by bicycle. Well-designed active travel networks allow residents to build physical activity into daily routines rather than treating exercise as a separate activity.

The benefits go beyond individual health. Investment in pedestrian-friendly streets, cycling infrastructure and integrated public transport can help reduce congestion, lower carbon emissions, improve air quality and create safer, more attractive neighbourhoods.

For developers, walkable communities are also increasingly desirable places to live and work, supporting stronger long-term demand and more resilient developments.

Integrate Green Space from the Outset

Access to nature is no longer viewed as a luxury. It is a fundamental component of healthy place-making.

Studies consistently show that people living near high-quality green spaces report better health outcomes and higher levels of wellbeing. Parks, green corridors, community gardens and natural landscapes encourage exercise, support mental health and create opportunities for social interaction.

Green infrastructure also delivers substantial environmental benefits. Trees and planting can improve air quality, reduce urban temperatures, increase biodiversity and help manage flood risk. As climate pressures intensify, developments that incorporate nature-based solutions are becoming increasingly important for both resilience and public health.

Embed Health into Planning Decisions

The World Health Organization defines a Healthy City as one that continually improves its physical and social environments while supporting residents to achieve their full potential.

Achieving this requires health considerations to be embedded throughout the planning and development process rather than treated as an afterthought.

Housing quality, access to healthcare, transport connections, educational facilities, employment opportunities and local amenities all influence long-term health outcomes. By assessing health impacts early, developers and local authorities can create places that actively contribute to healthier communities.

Such an approach can also support broader policy objectives, helping to reduce inequalities and alleviate pressure on public services.

Design for Social Connection

Communities flourish when people feel connected to the places they live and the people around them.

Public squares, parks, cultural venues, shared workspaces and community facilities all play an important role in creating opportunities for interaction. These spaces foster a sense of belonging, strengthen community identity and contribute positively to mental wellbeing.

Social isolation is increasingly recognised as a significant public health challenge. Developments that encourage interaction and participation can help build stronger social networks, creating more vibrant, inclusive and resilient neighbourhoods.

Reduce Environmental Health Risks

Creating healthier places also means minimising environmental factors that negatively affect wellbeing.

Air pollution remains one of the most significant environmental health challenges facing urban areas and is linked to a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Vulnerable groups, including children and older people, are often most affected.

Urban green infrastructure can form part of the solution. Trees, living walls, green roofs and open spaces help improve air quality and create more comfortable environments. Combined with sustainable transport strategies and reduced car dependency, these measures can significantly improve public health outcomes across communities.

Promote Inclusive and Accessible Communities

A healthy city must work for everyone.

The principles underpinning the World Health Organization’s Healthy Cities Programme are rooted in equity, participation, sustainability and collaboration. This means ensuring that the benefits of development are shared across all sections of society.

Accessible public spaces, inclusive design standards and equitable access to services, recreation and green space can help address health inequalities and improve quality of life regardless of age, ability or socioeconomic background.

By placing inclusivity at the centre of planning decisions, cities can create environments where individuals and communities are supported to reach their full potential.

Build Resilience for Future Generations

The cities being designed today will shape the health and wellbeing of future generations. Climate change, urban population growth and evolving economic conditions require a more resilient approach to development. Future-ready places must balance environmental, social and economic considerations while remaining adaptable to change.

Energy-efficient homes, sustainable transport systems, climate-resilient infrastructure and integrated green spaces all contribute to healthier, lower-carbon communities. These investments not only support environmental goals but also improve quality of life and reduce long-term costs for residents and local authorities.

The Future of Healthy Cities

Healthy cities do not emerge by chance. They are the result of deliberate choices, long-term thinking and collaboration between public and private sectors.

For developers and local authorities, the opportunity is clear. Places designed around health and wellbeing can create stronger communities, deliver lasting social value, improve environmental performance and enhance long-term economic resilience.

As the built environment sector responds to the challenges of the coming decades, the most successful developments will be those that place people at the centre of decision-making. The choices made today will influence not only the success of individual projects but also the health, prosperity and sustainability of communities for generations to come.

Join the Conversation at UKREiiF

The future of healthy cities is being shaped by the decisions made across the built environment sector today.

At UKREiiF 2027, the Health & Healthy Cities Day will bring together NHS leaders, healthcare providers, investors, developers, local authorities, policymakers and industry partners to explore how healthcare infrastructure can improve health outcomes while supporting economic growth and regeneration. The programme provides a unique platform for around 50 NHS Trusts and senior decision-makers to connect with developers, investors, architects and government representatives through panel discussions, roundtables and networking sessions focused on estate modernisation, capital investment, public-private partnerships, healthcare-led regeneration and the creation of healthier communities. NHS organisations benefit from valuable peer learning, collaboration and partnership opportunities, while private sector businesses gain direct access to the key stakeholders shaping the future of healthcare infrastructure and investment across the UK.

You can find out more about the Health & Healthy Cities Day at UKREiiF here.