International design and technology firm, IBI Group, has been appointed as specialist advisor in support of the NHS England Healthy New Towns programme.
Under the initiative, launched in March, NHS England is working with 10 housing developments ‘to shape the health of communities, and to re-think how health and care services can be delivered’.
Working in collaboration with ‘World Health Organization Collaborating Centre’ at the University of the West of England, sustainability consultant, Greengage, and ‘wellness consultant’, Anni Hood, IBI’s role will be to integrate Evidence Based Design (EBD) approaches into the proposals formulated by the teams selected as NHS Healthy New Towns, ‘ultimately promoting community wellbeing’.
IBI said: “The NHS has identified 10 demonstrator cities as a testbed for this ambitious initiative, potentially impacting 76,000 homes, over 200,000 people, and the supporting community infrastructure.” Director, Mario Bozzo, added: “It is fantastic that NHS England is working towards shaping the future wellbeing of our towns and cities. We are very excited to be part of this process, and to share our interdisciplinary crosssector knowledge.”
Expert support and advice provided by IBI Group will include: Health and Public Service Strategy; Travel and Transport; Digital Smart Cities; Behavioural Insights, and Inclusive Design and Dementia.
