Map shows Londoners how healthy their neighbourhood is

Londoners can now plan daily activities or even decide where to live according to how healthy an area is, using a new dataset and interactive map which launches today. Experts from UCL, Healthy Streets and Tranquil City have developed a dataset and interactive map - the Healthy Streets Index - which rates every street in the city. The Index uses data that represents factors known to have the biggest impacts on our health and wellbeing, including air and noise pollution, street design - such as pavement space - traffic dominance, walkability - including neighbourhood connectivity and access to services and public transport - and trees. Dr Ashley Dhanani (Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL) explained: "Our understanding of the importance of our environments to physical and mental wellbeing has come to the fore as we have spent more time at home and in our local areas during the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. "The Healthy Streets Index uniquely offers a data led view of the physical and experiential quality of our environments. This enables us to make informed decisions about where we want to live, the routes we take on everyday journeys and where improvements are needed to ensure everyone can live in the healthiest environments possible." Current lockdown and social distancing rules mean that many Londoners already actively plan daily routes for walking and cycling. The Index supports this as well as providing useful information for those who want to avoid busy and noisy roads, including parents of young children, older residents, asthma suffers and those sensitive to loud noise.