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Purpose The point of departure for this viewpoint paper is the current development in which landscape architects are working towards achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals and the associated cross-cutting pledge “Leave No One Behind”. The sustainable development goals 3 and 11 can be achieved through landscape projects that are inclusive and health promoting, and the authors argue that an evidence-based design process is needed to ensure that project designs deliver what they promise. However, most landscape architects are not trained in evidence-based design and are therefore unsure of what can be used as evidence. A further challenge is the lack of relevant and applicable research evidence for design processes. Design/methodology/approach The authors present a process model for evidence-based health design in landscape architecture as an overall framework on which the authors base their arguments. The model includes four topics of evidence: target group, human health, environment and use of nature. For each topic, the authors present their view on what may be considered as evidence and where it can be found or generated. The study view is supported by a detailed presentation of where and how evidence was found and generated in a design project for an accessible and health-promoting forest trail for people with mobility disabilities. Findings The authors suggest a broad definition of evidence, and that the design process should draw on evidence from relevant research and practice disciplines. Evidence can be found in multiple sources, for example, scientific articles, theoretical works and design guidelines. It can also be generated by landscape architects themselves, for example, through landscape analyses and stakeholder workshops. The evidence should guide and support the landscape architect and not dictate the design process. Practical implications The authors hope that the knowledge provided on the evidence-based

Research has confirmed that natural environments can offer many health benefits. However, a large group in society, people with mobility disabilities, are often hindered from gaining these benefits. Enhancing physical accessibility to natural environments is important, but in our opinion, not enough. This position paper addresses the importance of incorporating social inclusiveness in accessibility solutions in natural environments. We present a framework based on theories on affordances and behaviour settings that can guide the design process of inclusive, accessible, natural, and health-promoting environments for people with mobility disabilities. The development of the framework is based on quantitative and qualitative results achieved from a several-year-long research project concerning the design and use of a forest trail for people with mobility disabilities. The framework allows for the integration of two key opposing factors: naturalness and accessibility. The framework also integrates the important and often overlooked factor of social inclusion when designing health-promoting natural environments. Landscape architects must understand their project sites as not only physical spaces, but also as social and emotional spaces. Implementing this framework can support our endeavours to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Leave No One Behind agenda.

Based on theories and academic findings regarding the health-promoting potential of nature, evidence-based health design in landscape architecture (EBHDL) is the application of evidence-based design principles to landscape architecture. The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) has developed an EBHDL process model which includes evidence collection, programming, design and diagnostic post-occupancy evaluation. To develop a full-scale outdoor laboratory called Move Green Lab, which would be accessible, usable and health-promoting for people with mobility impairments under the EBHDL model, UCPH’s Nature, Health & Design research group launched a pilot study to collect evidence to support the design of Move Green Lab. This PhD project presents the contents, methods and processes involved in this evidence collection (i.e. the first step of the EBHDL model), and includes parts of the research to collect three categories of evidence: a)the target group: information related to needs, attributes, use and treatments in nature b)impacts of nature: results and experiences from best research and practice c)the professional competencies of landscape architects The results show that nature and nature-related activities are beneficial to the physical, mental and social health of people with mobility impairments in some ways. Self-efficacy also benefits from the various uses of nature, which may result in better health-related quality of life by increasing positive life attitudes. People with mobility impairments value close contacts with nature, hydrophilic activities, activities with social significance, and exploration and self-challenge. Designers, related professionals and others can contribute to the promotion of the use of nature for people with mobility impairments by recognising factors related to physical, intrapersonal and interpersonal barriers. Landscape design for this group of people should integrate accessibility from the beginning and throughout the whole design proc