Beyond Bricks and Mortar: How Planning Supports Health, Housing and Resilience
When people think of planning, it’s often in the context of buildings — housing developments, office blocks or new infrastructure projects. But the reach of planning extends far beyond bricks and mortar. It is a critical tool in addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges: the housing crisis, public health inequalities, and the need for greater climate and social resilience.
Beyond Bricks and Mortar: How Planning Supports Health, Housing and Resilience
When people think of planning, it’s often in the context of buildings — housing developments, office blocks or new infrastructure projects. But the reach of planning extends far beyond bricks and mortar. It is a critical tool in addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges: the housing crisis, public health inequalities, and the need for greater climate and social resilience.
At Boyer, we believe good planning is about improving people’s lives — by creating places that are not only functional, but also healthy, inclusive, and future-proof.
Planning for better health
Where we live has a direct impact on our health — not just in terms of air quality or access to green space, but also how active we are, our mental wellbeing, and our ability to connect with others.
Through masterplanning, health impact assessments and collaborative working with public health professionals, planners help to shape neighbourhoods that promote walking and cycling, provide access to services, and support active and sociable lifestyles. From ensuring there are enough GP surgeries and play areas in a new development, to protecting residents from noise and pollution, planning decisions can support healthier outcomes across the life course.
Planning for housing needs – not just housing numbers
One of the most urgent challenges facing the UK is the shortage of genuinely affordable, high-quality homes. While the planning system is often seen as a constraint, in reality it plays a central role in enabling housing delivery — especially when it comes to aligning local need with housing mix, tenure and location.
Boyer works closely with local authorities, developers and registered providers to support the delivery of sustainable housing that meets the needs of a broad range of people, including older residents, first-time buyers, renters and those with additional needs.
Planning isn’t just about delivering housing units — it’s about delivering the right homes, in the right places, supported by the right infrastructure.
Planning for a more resilient future
Resilience in planning spans many dimensions: environmental, economic, and social. Planners are uniquely positioned to anticipate long-term risks — from flooding and heatwaves to economic shocks and demographic change — and to create policies and places that can adapt and recover.
Whether it’s integrating sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), preserving space for food growing, designing flexible community buildings, or supporting mixed-use high streets, planning plays a key role in creating places that are equipped to cope with the uncertainties of the future.
Looking ahead: planning as a public good
Planning is sometimes cast as a hurdle to overcome. But when viewed through a wider lens, it becomes clear that planning is an essential public good — enabling us to create places that are more than just habitable, but truly liveable.
At Boyer, we’re proud to be part of shaping places that contribute to a healthier, fairer and more resilient society.
Want to find out how planning can support your project or local area?
Contact us to speak with one of our expert planners about how we can support you in delivering better outcomes through the planning system.