Creating walkable compact cities is a global priority, and also a priority in Melbourne. There is a growing body of evidence showing that city design has a profound impact on the willingness and ability of residents to walk for transport. Higher density, mixed use developments with connected street networks encourage more local walking for transport...

There is increasing Australian and international interest in integrated planning that promotes health and wellbeing. This paper examines the extent to which key Victorian legislation supports integrated planning that promotes health.

Creating walkable environments produces a range of health and environmental co-benefits including increased physical activity, social interaction, sustainable living and environmental protection. This paper provides details of the development, trial, validation and potential application of a ‘Walkability Index Tool’.

As a shift occurs from single residential development to higher density development, it is timely to consider how to maximise the benefits of increased population density while minimising any harm. This literature review into the impact of density on health concludes that if planned effectively, increasing population density has the potential to produce numerous benefits...