Who We Are
Discover Our Purpose
What's Happening at HCA
Supporting Affordable Nutrition
Encouraging Movement for All Ages
Promoting Health and Unity
Help Make a Difference
Together Creating Impact
Support Healthier Futures
View Upcoming Events
Join our community
Manage your account
The Illawarra Shoalhaven is undergoing rapid population growth and urban development at a time when the long-term health implications of climate change require urgent action. Creating built and natural environments that encourage people to walk, cycle, be physically active, use public transport, connect with others, and are cool and inclusive, can contribute to lifelong health and wellbeing.
“The way our cities are planned, designed and built influence how we move around our streets, connect with others, access nutritious food and seek shelter from extreme weather. The Community of Practice is an important initiative that brings together a range of local subject matter experts who have experience in shaping cities to keep people healthy.”
Jennie Pry, Co-chair, Healthy Urban Environments Community of Practice
The Healthy Urban Environments (HUE) Community of Practice (CoP) brings together subject matter experts on built environment, public health practitioners, academics, and communications specialists to exchange best practices, and advocate for scaling up the implementation of health-enhancing urban policies.
The HUE COP facilitates skill sharing and professional development through the exchange of ideas and resources to develop best practice. The CoP also engages in advocacy and lobbying to improve healthy urban planning and design. It provides subject matter expertise to urban planning and policy processes to advance the cause of healthy urban planning and design at the regional level.
These activities are carried out through internal communications and networking events, as well as through occasional public meetings and events intended to raise awareness among decision-makers and the broader community.
Healthy Urban Environments Community of Practice Illawarra Shoalhaven Terms of Reference
Guided by the principles and practices of healthy urban planning and design, the HUE CoP works to:
Facilitate local connections between diverse SMEs to exchange best practice, develop new skills and provide expert feedback on local urban health issues.
Scale up the implementation of health-enhancing urban policies that will benefit the communities of Illawarra Shoalhaven.
Drive the healthy urban environments conversation in the Illawarra to increase local awareness, grow understanding about the public health impact of urban planning & design, and enable participation in community consultations.
What is a Community of Practice?
A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.
The interests and passion shared by members of our CoP are focused on urban planning and design to keep people in the Illawarra Shoalhaven healthy, active, connected and protected.
Who can become a member of the HUE CoP?
Anyone who has professional and/or personal interest in creating and sustaining healthy urban environments in the Illawarra Shoalhaven and beyond.
Our experience tells us that this kind of CoP meets the needs and interests of urban planners, designers, architects, transport strategists, traffic engineers, social planners, public health professionals, health promotion practitioners, politicians, local residents, and more.
How do I become a member of the HUE CoP?
Contact Healthy Cities Australia at alexander@healthycities.org.au to register your interest. You will be contacted and provided with details of the next meetings and topics.
How often does the HUE CoP meet and how does it work?
The HUE CoP meets quarterly either on-line or in person at a venue in the Illawarra. See the Terms of Reference for further information.
Membership of the Community of Practice is open to built environment professionals, public health practitioners, academics, communication specialists, and anyone with specific expertise in healthy urban planning and design in the Illawarra Shoalhaven. Non-specialists interested in the work are invited to join the Friends of the COP. Please contact alexander@healthycities.org.au to get involved or if you have any questions.
Subscribe and get a FREE guide to the Top 10 Playgrounds in the Illawarra + COFFEE!
Plus, stay informed on wellbeing programs and the impact we’re making through public health initiatives.