I launched Build for Health last year to link up practitioners from multiple disciplines who, firstly, supported the principle that our health is impacted by the built environment, and, secondly, were motivated to change their practice to accommodate this.   It followed a programme of research from the Institute of Health Equity , which gave evidence to the role of the property sector in supporting health & wellbeing.  Acknowledging the scale, influence and resources of t

What’s the largest charitable organisaton in the UK? Measured by assets, it’s the Wellcome Trust , whose mission is to “ bring together expertise from across science, innovation and society to generate new knowledge and find equitable solutions to improve life, health and wellbeing”   The Wellcome Trust is funded by  the returns from its massive, diverse investment portfolio , which originated from a gift in the will of pharmaceutical entrepreneur Sir Henry Wellcome, making

Two weeks ago over 1000 people gathered at the O2 centre in London to launch a growth agenda for the UK. Looking for Growth (LFG) describes itself as “a political movement to push Britain out of decline. We build, we pressure politicians, we influence policy, we organise, co-ordinate and improve Britain, bit by bit”.   Amongst speeches and panel discussions delivered over the course of the evening, an announcement was made about a separate initiative which embodies the ambit

One of the reasons for launching Build for Health earlier this year and holding its first workshop in July was to work with a collective of built environment practitioners to forge consensus on practice in developing places that support good health.   During this workshop and through our LinkedIn group we’ve shared and explored frameworks ,   tools , data , and design codes that have been developed to support practitioners in building for health.     Implementation ha

Following the government’s cabinet reshuffle earlier this month, the new Housing minister, Steve Read, issued a “call to arms” to “build...

Always on the lookout for redevelopment projects that align housing and placemaking with improving health outcomes, I was intrigued to...

On a beautiful summer evening last Tuesday, fifty-odd leaders and practitioners from the built environment, health provision, public...

The push for economic growth continues to dominate government policy across multiple agendas, including climate and housing, and local...

I’m recently back from a few weeks in San Francisco and, as tour guide to a group of first-time visitor friends I duly showcased the...

Does objecting to a new housing development in your local community, on the basis that no provision is made for new or expanded GP...

Happy new year!   Here’s hoping that sincere wishes for happiness and prosperity in 2025 are met with acknowledgment of some significant...

Earlier this month the British Medical Journal published results of a survey by the Royal College of GPs on time spent on non-clinical...

The Life Sciences industry is comprised of companies and organisations that research, develop and manufacture pharmaceuticals,...

Earlier this month, Asda unveiled plans for a “transformational Mixed-Use Redevelopment of its ten-acre Park Royal site in North West...

Earlier this month, the Home Builders Federation revealed that over the last three years, more than £50 million of taxpayer money was...

Along with wet weather, April came in with a blast of Nimby v Yimby hot air. So far this month, we’ve learned that Keir Starmer has...

A parallel universe, also known as an alternate universe, parallel world, parallel dimension, or alternate reality, is a hypothetical...

A friend came to visit last weekend and, as we set off on a walk along the Thames towpath from Mortlake, SW London, she asked what was...

The GIANT Health event, now in its tenth year, took place earlier this week, and I was invited to convene a panel for the NHS ICS/ICB...

At a time when evidence is fast increasing on how the built environment impacts our individual and collective health, it is regrettable...