Integrating health objectives into the urban planning process: Silverdale study

This paper describes the process of integrating health objectives into a neighbourhood design plan for the area of Silverdale in Mission, BC. In collaboration with urban planners, land owners, technical consultants, District staff and community residents, a Design Brief was developed to guide the development of a sustainable neighbourhood plan for Silverdale. The process involved working collaboratively across multiple sectors to establish planning principles for the development, soliciting public input into the process, and developing goals and objectives for each of the planning principles. The process was rooted in sustainable development theory, a key pillar of which is individual and community health. Individual and community health was fleshed out and health objectives were integrated in a deliberate way into the planning process using Trevor Hancock’s Basic Framework for Indicators as a guide. Lessons were learned throughout the process that may provide insight to future healthy and sustainable urban planning.