Local government planning law and urban design for active living

Public health considerations can be integrated into urban planning at the local council level using relevant law and policy. Human health can be improved by appropriate interventions to living environments. In Australia, as in other developed nations, this is an urgent task in the face of epidemic incidences of chronic or 'lifestyle' disease. This article is comprised of a discussion and analysis of how Australian law, specifically local government law, can be used to implement the findings of the existing literature on the relationship between active living (including 'walkability') and health; and a case study of the 'Newleaf Bonnyrigg' development in Australia. In the Newleaf development the integration of active living guidelines developed on a proven empirical basis (PCAL) were mandated as a condition of development approval.