Building sustainable communities

Sustainable development describes policies, projects and investments that provide benefits today without sacrificing environmental, social and personal health in the future.  

The evidence is clear that investment in our environment can also improve health. According to the World Health Organization, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy use choices can result in very large gains for health, particularly through reduced air pollution.

With careful planning, green and blue spaces like parks and waterfronts can provide health and wellbeing benefits while also boosting biodiversity, encouraging lower-carbon transport and mitigating risks from flooding.

In Derry City & Strabane we want to maximise the health benefits from green investment like Translink’s zero emission fleet for Foyle Metro services or the Acorn Farm project.

At Acorn Farm we are directly involved in integrating health and sustainability through the Acorn Farm I Can Cook programme of community cooking sessions which demonstrate that what’s good for you is good for the planet too.

We also pursue collaborative action that combines health and environmental benefits through membership of the DCSDC climate commission.