The health and wellbeing of a population is a key focus for any government as it is a key factor in any thriving nation. With this in mind it is widely recognised that many of the underlying determinants of inequalities in health and well-being are environmental, and the Welsh Government recognises that this has a significant impact on the health of Wales’ people, and that action is required to create healthy environments for our population which are also safe and nurturing for our children and young people.

There are a growing number and variety of organisations, including the government agencies, NDGBs, private companies and charities, working in this field and looking at a variety of issues. These issues include the association between health and access to green spaces and recreation, the benefits of play and the importance of active travel. However, the relationships between quality and extent of green and biodiverse space, proximity to and use of such areas, and health outcomes, have yet to be quantified appropriately and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

This conference will examine the issues outlined above such as the connections between health and wellbeing, the environment, place making and use of urban open spaces. In addition, it will summarise the relationship between open space in relation to physical and mental health, and environmental, economic, social and cultural wellbeing, through expert analysis and evidence based case studies.

Below you will find our up to date agenda with confirmed speakers. This will be updated on an ongoing basis as new speakers are confirmed.

9:20 Opening remarks from the Chair – Roisin Willmott, Director, RTPI Wales

9:30 Session 1 – Public Health and Policy

Planning for Public Health; A Government Perspective – Hywel Butts, Head of Development Management Branch, Welsh Government

The Importance of Public Greenspace – Rob Sage, Principal Public Health Practitioner, Health Improvement Division, Public Health Wales

Good Places; Better Health – Carole-Anne Davies, Chief Executive, The Design Commission forWales

Q&A

11:00 Break

11:15 Session 2 – The role of Infrastructure and Design 

Green Place Standard – Bronia Bendall, Health and Wellbeing Advisor, Natural Resources Wales

Regeneration of Place for Social Health Equality – Euan Hall, The Land Trust

Best practice from further afield – PAS representative

Q&A

12:45 Lunch

13:50 Session 3 – Design for Physical Activity and Active Travel

Get Wales walking – Rachel Maycock, Director, Living Streets Wales

Street Games Wales case study – Paul Roberts, Head of Programmes, Street Games

Funding for green space development – Andrew Brown, Funding Manager, The Big Lottery Fund

15:20 Closing remarks from the Chair

15:30 Close