How Good Is our Place—Implementation of the Place Standard Tool in North Macedonia

Dragan Gjorgjev, Mirjana Dimovska, George Morris, John Howie, Mirjana Borota Popovska and Marija Topuzovska Latkovikj
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Dragan Gjorgjev: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Mirjana Dimovska: Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
George Morris: European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR1 3HD, UK
John Howie: NHS Health Scotland, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow, Scotland G2 6QE, UK
Mirjana Borota Popovska: Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research, Skopje, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Marija Topuzovska Latkovikj: Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research, Skopje, University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: This study describes the implementation, in North Macedonia, of a “tool”, initially devised in Scotland, to generate community and stakeholder discussion about the places in which they live and notably a place’s capacity to generate health wellbeing and greater equity among citizens. In this study, the “place standard tool” (PST) is viewed from the perspective of creating places which can deliver a triple win of health and wellbeing, equity, and environmental sustainability. Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital, inevitably differs economically, culturally, and politically from Scotland, thus providing an opportunity to augment existing knowledge on adaptability of the tool in shaping agendas for policy and action. ?he PST was tested through seminars with selected focus groups and an online questionnaire. Over 350 respondents were included. Information on priorities enabled the distillation of suggestions for improvement and was shared with the Mayor and municipal administration. Skopje citizens valued an approach which solicited their views in a meaningful way. Specific concerns were expressed relating to heavy traffic and related air and noise pollution, and care and maintenance of places and care services. Responses varied by geographic location. Application of the PST increased knowledge and confidence levels among citizens and enthusiasm for active involvement in decision making. Effective implementation relies heavily on: good governance and top-level support; excellent organization and good timing; careful training of interviewers and focus group moderators; and on prior knowledge of the participants/respondents.

Keywords: place; place standard; community engagement; community empowerment; health determinants; wellbeing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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