Places & communities - What is known? Stakeholder views and research synthesis

This work package (WP) is made up of 3 sub-work packages, details below;

WP1.1 Stakeholder perspectives:
This work package will generate an evidence-based theorisation of the different approaches available to delivering place-centred public health strategies in lean economic circumstances by consulting stakeholders and reviewing the available evidence through two inter-linked reviews. Stakeholder engagement, including practitioners, policy-makers and members of the public, will be embedded throughout the work stream, with a series of workshops underpinning enhanced understanding of the evidence identified in the subsequent reviews and at three key time points throughout the research on a regional basis.

WP1.2 Systematic review of the effects of place centred public health interventions on health and health inequalities.
To carry out a systematic review on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of local, place-centred public health investment strategies and interventions in improving population health and reducing health inequalities. Previous systematic reviews have tended to focus on larger scale urban regeneration and especially housing-led interventions. These are only a sub-set of what constitutes place-centred public health and often involve expensive, large-scale interventions. As part of the review process we will engage with stakeholders to identify the kinds of place-centred approaches that are deliverable in resource-constrained circumstances, and to inform an understanding of the evidence identified. The review will locate, appraise and synthesise primary studies that go beyond large-scale housing regeneration to consider (a) place-centred partnership working; and (b) a wider set of area-based interventions including local approaches to improving active travel, changes to the public realm (e.g. pedestrianisation, increase/decrease in green space, cycle/walking routes, playgrounds, outdoor gyms), other use of local planning powers and (c) local investment strategies including local employment and economic development initiatives or investments in children’s services. The population focus will be on adults and children and include evidence and outcomes relevant to effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The review will also examine the implementation, cost-effectiveness, deliverability and acceptability of interventions.

WP1.3 A participatory systematic review evidence on approaches and theories underpinning citizen participation in local place-centred decision-making.
To carry out a participatory systematic review of evidence on approaches and theories underpinning citizen participation in local place-centred decision-making, with a particular focus on the significance of resource-constraints. As part of the review process we will engage with stakeholders to identify the kinds of approaches that are being used in different localities to engage citizens, in order to understand different models and theories of participation and greater exploration of the evidence identified. The mixed method review will locate, appraise and synthesise primary studies of both quantitative and qualitative design that explore citizen participation in local public decisions, and also explore theories and models of citizen-local decision-maker interactions. The review will be complementary to the WP 1.1 and WP 1.2 reviews in providing an individual and community perspective to understanding place-centred public health strategies and interventions.