Healthcare and Rural Planning
Creating rural communities where people want to live, work and play is vitally important to a community’s health.
Healthcare is a natural partner in communities for placemaking plans, programs, and projects, as they look to improve health outcomes for their patients in the community by addressing the social determinants of health including Economic stability, Education access and quality, Health care access and quality, Social and community context and Neighborhood and built environment.
A few examples of successful hospital partnerships or sponsorships in communities include expanded green spaces for recreation, walking trails and increased social connections. Some facilities have added walking trails on their hospital campus that are available for employees, patient families and community members. Hospitals have partnered with other community civic groups and community foundations to build accessible playgrounds in underserved neighborhoods. The use of local art or photography in rural hospitals can bring recognition to local artists and, more importantly, create a space that is welcoming to families in difficult times.
Health care entities conduct regular community health needs assessments and strategic planning processes to identify priority health needs, and work with community partners to establish strategies to address the needs and determine how they engage and participate in the community. Community health needs assessments are available online for the public to see what health needs the hospital is currently working to improve. Consider reaching out to the hospital foundation director or the community outreach/community development director to discuss how a placemaking partnership might add value to those efforts.
Timeframe to Complete Project: 1-3 Years
Cost Range: Cost Varies
Key Words: Cross-Sector Partnerships, Public Spaces, Advanced, Intermediate, Strategies, Planning, Community, Implementing, Public Art, Buildings, Assessments
“The Case for Healthy Places” is a publication created by The Project for Public Spaces. Click on the button below to access additional information about improving health outcomes through placemaking.