Healthy Urban Areas
A qualitative research on how private developers can steer towards the realisation of health-promoting urban areas
J.C.A. Heijbroek (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
E.W.T.M. Heurkens – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
G.A. van Bortel – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
F.R. Schnater – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
Growing pressure on the Dutch healthcare system underscores the need to address health issues beyond the healthcare sector. Urban development plays an important role shaping healthy behaviour; however, practical guidance for private developers on how to integrate health ambitions in their projects remains scarce. Moreover, while health is inherently user-related, limited knowledge exists on how residents perceive health-promoting qualities in their living environment. This study therefore investigates how private developers can steer towards the realisation of health-promoting urban areas.
A qualitative and iterative research approach was adopted. First, the study reviews literature on health-promoting living environments, private developers and their steering roles and activities within urban development projects. This is followed by a case study approach in the empirical research. Three mixed-use residential projects in Katendrecht, Rotterdam, were examined using document analysis and interviews with professionals and residents. A cross-case analysis informed the development of recommended guidance, which was subsequently validated and refined through an expert panel.
The research identifies a set of indicators grouped into five categories – active, restorative, social, healthy food and facilitating environments – to characterise health-promoting urban areas. It develops a conceptual steering model showing how developers can influence these categories through combinations of soft and hard steering at business and project level. The case studies demonstrate that developers can meaningfully integrate health ambitions when these are established early, embedded within the project concept and budget, and sustained through post-delivery management. However, their capacity to do so is constrained by financial feasibility, legal frameworks, and time pressures.
The study contributes validated recommended guidance that translates these insights into concrete steering activities, offering developers a structured approach to contribute to the realisation of health-promoting urban areas.