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Biophilic Public Health:
Shaping policy and practice
23rd IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion
9 April 2019
Rotorua
Dr Neil de Wet
Medical Officer of Health
Peak human
health?
The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission Report on Planetary Health, 2015
The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission Report on Planetary Health, 2015
Inequities
Chronic diseases
Obesity
Diabetes
Mental health
Population health issues:
Health
expectancy
loss
Biodiversity and species loss
Ecosystem degradation and collapse
Climate disruption
Water stress and pollution
Land and soil degradation
Future population health impacts relate to:
Ecological
debt
“…public health professions today need to think and
act ecologically if they are to help reshape the
conditions that enable good health to flourish”
(Lang and Rayner, 2012, p20)(https://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5466)
Biophilia
hypothesis
“….the innately emotional affiliation of human
beings to other living organisms.”
(Edward O. Wilson)
Biophilia hypothesis
“….biophilic design is meant to enhance human
health and well-being by fostering connections
between people and nature in the built
environment.”(Stephen Kellert)
Love, awe, respect of “all things living”
Ulrich (1984)
Connects people with nature
Plants and water
Natural light and ventilation
Natural materials, shape, form and patterns
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
Biophilic design in architecture
Photo: Toi Te Ora stock
Photo: Toi Te Ora stock
Photo: Toi Te Ora stock
Photo: Arousta, via Flickr, Creative Commons
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Chris Barbalis on Unsplash
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
High tech modern hospital
Sanctuary of biodiversity
Nature nurtures health
Community farm
Community park
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Photo: Neil de Wet
Biophilic Cities
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Frankemann, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Padraic via Flickr, Creative Commons
Photo: Neil de Wet
Photo: Kristina Hoeppner via Flickr, Creative Commons
Photo: Tony Wills, via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Toi Te Ora stockPhoto: Toi Te Ora stock
Photo: Simon Everitt
Photo: Neil de Wet
Biophilic cities
“Biophilic Cities are cities that contain abundant nature; they
are cities that care about, seek to protect, restore and grow
this nature, and that strive to foster deep connections and
daily contact with the natural world.”
“Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to
living a happy, healthy and meaningful life.”
“In biophilic cities, residents care about nature and work on its
behalf locally and globally ”Tim Beatley, 2010
Biophilic cities
“Biophilic Cities are cities that contain abundant nature; they
are cities that care about, seek to protect, restore and grow
this nature, and that strive to foster deep connections and
daily contact with the natural world.”
“Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to
living a happy, healthy and meaningful life.”
“In biophilic cities, residents care about nature and work on its
behalf locally and globally ”Tim Beatley, 2010
Biophilic cities
“Biophilic Cities are cities that contain abundant nature; they
are cities that care about, seek to protect, restore and grow
this nature, and that strive to foster deep connections and
daily contact with the natural world.”
“Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to
living a happy, healthy and meaningful life.”
“In biophilic cities, residents care about nature and work on its
behalf locally and globally ”Tim Beatley, 2010
Lowering stress hormones
Lower blood pressure
Improved immunity
Less cardio-vascular disease
Increasing life expectancy
Nature and health
(Li and Bell, 2018; James et al, 2016)
Less crime
Enhances quality of social interaction
More happiness
Mental health benefits
Reduces effects of socio-economic
inequalities health
(Ulrich, 1984; Nieuwenhuis et al, 2014; Elzeyadi, 2011; Kuo et al,
1998; Kuo and Sullivan, 1998; Donovan and Prestemon, 2012; Holtan
et al, 2014; Mitchell et al, 2018)
Nature and health
Biophilic
public health
Biophilic public health
Love, awe, respect and celebration of nature
Nature is not something optional, but absolutely essential to
living a happy, healthy and meaningful life
Enhances human interaction with and experiences of nature
Benefits for the health and well-being of
People (directly and indirectly),
Other species and
Ecosystems
Multiple benefits and multiple interwoven scales
Image: University of
Texas
Health for All
We are here
Health for All
- Species habitat
- Biodiversity
- Climate change
- Physical activity
- Independence
- Wilderness
- Mental health
- Volunteering
- Community
- Cultural connection
Photo: Toi Te Ora stock
Source: www.eating-better.org (Creative Commons)
Food and nutrition
Source: www.eating-better.org (Creative Commons)
Biophilic food and nutrition
Local
Seasonal
Plant-based
Whole foods
Packaging
Wildlife
(pollinators)
Equity
Biophilic transportActive transport
Multi modal
Renewable electric
Permeability
Habitat creation
Ecological corridors
Social connection
Social space
Mental healthSource: Amanda Bergstrom (Toi Te Ora discussion paper)
Biophilic toolkit / resources
Biophilic principles
Benefits in terms of
productivity, absenteeism,
stress
Benefitting nature beyond
the workplace
Workplace wellness
Physical development
Social development
Cognitive development
School performance
Managing stressful events
Early education
Children and nature
building block
Early education
Photo: Toi Te Ora stock
Te Puna Taiao at Allandale
Photo: Te Puna Taiao at Allandale
Te Puna Taiao at Allandale
Photo: Te Puna Taiao at AllandalePhoto: Te Puna Taiao at Allandale
Te Puna Taiao at Allandale
Nature
Learning
Play
Social
Community
Cultural connectionPhoto: Te Puna Taiao at Allandale
www.toiteora.govt.nz/vdb
/document/1973
Biophilic Public Health:
Re-imagining Public
Health for the 21st
Century
