City planning policies to support health and sustainability: an international comparison of policy indicators for 25 cities
Language English Country England, Great Britain Media print
Document type Journal Article, Review
PubMed
35561723
PubMed Central
PMC9906636
DOI
10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00069-9
PII: S2214-109X(22)00069-9
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Transportation MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- City Planning * MeSH
- Cities MeSH
- Urban Health * MeSH
- Health Policy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Geographicals
- Cities MeSH
City planning policies influence urban lifestyles, health, and sustainability. We assessed policy frameworks for city planning for 25 cities across 19 lower-middle-income countries, upper-middle-income countries, and high-income countries to identify whether these policies supported the creation of healthy and sustainable cities. We systematically collected policy data for evidence-informed indicators related to integrated city planning, air pollution, destination accessibility, distribution of employment, demand management, design, density, distance to public transport, and transport infrastructure investment. Content analysis identified strengths, limitations, and gaps in policies, allowing us to draw comparisons between cities. We found that despite common policy rhetoric endorsing healthy and sustainable cities, there was a paucity of measurable policy targets in place to achieve these aspirations. Some policies were inconsistent with public health evidence, which sets up barriers to achieving healthy and sustainable urban environments. There is an urgent need to build capacity for health-enhancing city planning policy and governance, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries.
Centre for Public Health Queen's University Belfast Belfast UK
Department of Geography The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong Special Administrative Region China
Department of Physiotherapy University of Maiduguri Maiduguri Nigeria
Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics University of Southern Denmark Odense Denmark
Department of Urban Planning and Design Urban Form Lab University of Washington Seattle WA USA
Faculty of Physical Culture Palacký University Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic
Healthstrong Medibank Mildura VIC Australia
Healthy Liveable Cities Lab RMIT University Melbourne VIC Australia
Melbourne Centre for Cities University of Melbourne Melbourne VIC Australia
Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Bangkok Thailand
Prevention Research Center Brown School Washington University in St Louis St Louis MO USA
School of Arts Sciences and Humanities University of São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs Northeastern University Boston MA USA
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