Healthy Active by Design

Improving the design of our cities, towns, streets and buildings makes it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives.

One of the easiest ways to improve heart health is to increase exercise and activity levels. Improving the design of our cities, towns, streets and buildings makes it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives.

The Heart Foundation created the Healthy Active by Design program to highlight how best practice planning and design of our buildings, streets, towns and cities can help get people moving and improve their heart health.

A healthy community can include:  

• Public open spaces 
• Community facilities  
• Buildings that support physical activity  
• Appealing destinations 
• Movement networks 
• Housing diversity 
• A sense of place 
• Access to healthy food  

By designing our neighbourhoods to promote walking, cycling, physical activity and public life, everyone can feel supported to be healthier and more active locally.

Ways you can be more active in your neighbourhood  

Have a walk around your suburb and you’ll probably see lots of places and opportunities to be more active, such as:

• Footpaths that lead you to a local park where you could kick a ball or toss a frisbee with a friend or family
• Taking public transport instead of driving the car
• Nearby cafes and places of interest you can walk to and enjoy
• Walking to the shops