CECAN Webinar – Integrating HWNS into local, strategic planning

CECAN Webinar – Integrating Health, Wellbeing, Nature and Sustainability (HWNS) into local, strategic planning: learning from the co-development of a practical systems approach to place-making

Presenter: Jemma Sharman, Principal Specialist, Chief Scientist Directorate, Natural England

Webinar Overview:
“The care of human life and happiness … is the first and only legitimate object of good government.” Thomas Jefferson

Natural England, with partners including the Environment Agency, Local Partnerships, What Works Wellbeing and Local Authorities, have been co-developing and testing a systems approach that aims to support better outcomes across health, wellbeing, nature and sustainability (HWNS) through local place-making.

We know that high quality health and wellbeing, supported by a healthy natural environment, are the basis for thriving local places and people. And yet, we also know that local authorities and other organisations involved in place-making are grappling with a challenging range of issues, from nature and climate emergencies to health and wellbeing crises.

The HWNS approach has been co-developed as a high-level, inter-disciplinary decision-support framework that prioritises health, wellbeing, nature and sustainability outcomes, putting these at the centre of strategic planning conversations. It includes practical resources, including participatory systems mapping software (PRSM), to bring together different sectors, support integrated planning, and bridge the gap between technical information and practical solutions.

In this webinar Jemma will share the background to the co-development of HWNS, learning from the initial prototype testing with local authorities and outline future plans for influencing local place-making.