The Health Impact Of Space Planning Policies In Relation To Walking And Exercise In The Workplace

This paper presents an evidential review of current knowledge on the issue of walking versus sedentary behaviour in office environments. It considers the medical evidence in relation to cardio-vascular activity and the long-term effect of sedentary compared to mobile work routines. The paper then goes on to consider the concept of embedded health within buildings, reflected in the way that buildings are designed and managed. It highlights in particular the role of the facilities manager in enabling such embedded health. The argument in the paper is that health activities cannot be assumed to occur simply by the provision of health facilities. Professionals, with busy working lives, working long hours, inevitably neglect health activities. It is therefore incumbent on employers to design in healthy behaviour as part of the daily work routine. The author argues that current space planning practices are intent on achieving quite the reverse outcome.