Establishing closer links between environmental and health protection is an important objective on the local level. The paper explores the potential of Local Agenda 21 initiatives in Germany to link the health and environmental fields at the local level. It depicts successful strategies and projects, identifies obstacles and proposes information and support services.

The study was commissioned by the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) within the framework of the National Action Programme for Environment and Health (APUG) to explore the potentials of Local Agenda 21 initiatives in contributing to favourable health conditions in municipalities.

The empirical study combines various quantitative and qualitative methods: written surveys of municipal actors of all local authorities involved in Agenda 21 activities and state ministries, expert interviews, peer groups.

One fifth of German local authorities are involved in Local Agenda 21 activities. Two thirds of local authorities have integrated “environment and health” into their Agenda 21 initiatives. In many places, Agenda procedures assigns projects to field of activity which touch on the environment and healthcare. “Environment and health” projects must reflect the actual daily lives, attitudes and needs of the people concerned. The collaboration of various players and participant groups and interdepartmental cooperation within local government are important prerequisites. A better coordination of the various integrative programmes on the local level that address issues of “environment and health” is needed. information and support needs of onsite players are best suited by good practices examples.

German Institute of Urban Affairs: Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik (Difu)
Christa Böhme, tel. +49 30 39001 291

15/03/2006

Christa Böhme, Bettina Reimann, Ulla-Kristina Schuleri-Hartje

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Environmental sustainability