Improving Community Health Through Place-making

Abstract

There is a direct and strong connection between our health and the place we live in. Diseases that are currently widespread, such as obesity, can be related to the place we live in and our lifestyle. Place-making plays a major role in fulfilling the needs of the community to improve and maintain our health conditions by preparing the public spaces to meet the different needs of the community to keep it healthy and safe. This research discusses two major keywords: community health and placemaking. Discussion includes their definition, their importance and all the aspects regarding them, also the link between place-making and community health, and whether it is possible to improve community health through placemaking. The main goal of this research is to help improve the community health by improving the public spaces in Khartoum through the collaboration between the community and authorities. The methodology of this research is the descriptive analytic method which is based on literature review and case study. For the data gathering many references, previous research and papers as well as internet websites and open interviews with the protesters after the sit-in were used. The research hypothesis that there is a strong connection between place-making and community health, not only that but we can use place-making as a way to improve our health, which at the end has been proven. In this research an interesting example of improving community health through place-making is shown in Kampung Pelangi village in Indonesia. In addition, a unique case study has been taken in Al Qiyada Sit-in in Khartoum-Sudan to show how Sudanese can build their community and improve their health. Challenges and difficulties that faced them in improving their place, environment and health are discussed and reviewed. Finally, a number of recommendations will be stated on how place-making can improve community health in Sudan as well as the conclusions of Al Qiyada sitin case study and recommendations of ways to sustain this idea to improve our community health in Sudan.