Hälsokonsekvensbedömning i fysisk planering, 1.14 MB - Statens ...

Summary
hälsokonsekvensbedömning i fysisk planering 9
A common conflict in connection with physical planning is whether urban green areas
should be preserved for recreation or developed to satisfy the need for centrally located
housing. This was the case in the Swedish city of Östersund. When a large number of
military units were moved away from the city, the issue of how the former enclosed
area should be utilised was broached. The area can be described as a large green wedge
pointing towards the city centre.
In the EIA of the in-depth comprehensive plan for the area in question, three alternatives
were studied; the Zero Alternative, Build More and Go Green. This report presents
the HIA of the in-depth comprehensive plan, performed by SNIPH in partnership
with the City of Östersund. Environmental as well as social health determinants were
considered in the HIA.
The results of the case study are presented using “health matrices”, which show
both the determinants studied and how prioritised population groups are affected, for
example children, older people, disabled persons, women and men. By comparing
health matrices for the three alternatives, a decision-maker can see the consequences of
different decisions.
Tools such as GIS are used in the impact assessments to provide information of the
residents inside and outside the planned area. Consultations and exhibitions are held
during the EIA process and these are also incorporated into the HIA.
The HIA shows that the Go Green alternative is to be recommended as the alternative
that best satisfies health-promoting factors by preserving existing green structures
in the planned area. The report also presents experiences from the HIA work process.
SNIPH has been tasked by the Swedish Government to develop methods for HIA
within certain strategically important areas and to support the application of HIA on
the central, regional and local level. This case study is part of this task and shows how
HIA can be applied in municipal physical planning.