Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

CPD overview

There are around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This figure is projected to increase to 1.6 million people by 2040. People living with dementia may experience the built environment differently to other people.

Evidence has shown that good quality housing and well-planned, enabling local environments can have a substantial impact on the quality of life for someone living with dementia, helping them to live well in their community for longer.

The RTPI originally published this advice in 2017. This revised version includes new examples of good practice, along with updated information, advice and practice. This practice note gives advice on how town planning can work with other professionals (such as interior designers) to create better environments for people living with dementia.

Learning objectives:

Summarising expert advice, the guide outlines key planning policy, good practice and case studies from around the UK. The policy context applies to England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, the principles of good practice are applicable wherever you work in the world. This advice has been endorsed by Alzheimer's Society and Public Health England.

Read the full informative guide

CPD overview

In the UK and Ireland, the rates of mental health illness are high. It is estimated that around one in four people will experience a mental health condition. This places a huge burden on individuals, their families and on society. Where someone lives can have an impact on their mental health. The quality of the wider built environment is also a determining factor for mental health, with noise, pollution levels, quality of green space, access to services and even ‘beauty’ all playing a part. Therefore, town planning decisions can have an impact on mental health. Creating an accessible, inclusive built environment that enables everyone to play an equal role in society is important in protecting and enhancing everyone’s well-being and mental health.

Learning objectives:

This practice note gives advice on how planners can work within the current UK planning systems and with other professionals (such as interior designers) to take account of mental health when making changes to the built environment. It summaries expert advice, outlines key planning policy, good practice and case studies. The policy context applies to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, but the principles of good practice apply wherever you work in the world.

Read the full informative guide