Healthy Neighbourhoods

Abstract

Since the introduction of the car, our use of mobility is continuously growing (Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid, 2018). Which leads to highly polluted areas, affecting urban health. Besides, the growing mobility results in a higher number of traffic accidents on the main road network (NU.nl, 2017). And not only growing mobility, but also the urban development of our cities will have an influence on urban health. Suburban development causes a population level reliance on car use every day. This imposed reliance causes low physical activity levels in a lot of residential neighbourhoods among many industrialized countries (Badland & Schofield, 2005). Physical inactivity, caused by dominance of the car in cities, the car dependency and infrastructural barriers in the city, can result in major health risks, especially in industrialized countries (Badland & Schofield, 2005). When engaging in physical activity, local streets and public spaces have been identified as the most suitable spaces (Badland & Schofield, 2005). 
The introduction of automated mobility will provide car users with new possibilities to do while traveling. As a consequence, people are willing to travel longer, and the frequency of trips might increase (Stead et al., 2018). Automated forms of traveling will be chosen over active forms of travelling, because of the ease and comfort of automated vehicles. All of this results in more and more cars on the streets and an increased traffic complexity. Summing up, the ever-growing mobility puts urban health at risk. On top of this, the introduction of automated mobility is posing a threat on various facets of urban health (personal lifestyles, accessibility, etc.), especially in residential neighbourhoods (because of the high car dependency). The following question is leading in this project: ‘‘How can the implementation of automated mobility contribute in improving urban health, in residential neighbourhoods in the city of Almere?’’.  Since this project is concerned with the topic automated mobility and the impact of it urban on health, the research type is a predictive one. Automated mobility is still in an early stage, it is uncertain what will happen in the future. Therefore, scenario planning will be at the heart of this project. For the progressive scenario a design is made for two neighbourhoods in Almere. Urban regeneration strategies are developed with a set of design elements and recommendations. Creating and retrofitting urban environments which will improve urban health. Promoting physical activity through urban design at the micro scale (neighbourhood scale) is one of the most effective measures to improve urban health. On top of this, strategies in reducing air pollution on the macro scale (city scale) will also be highly impactful in reducing diseases worsened by poor air quality. Besides, in the development of urban areas (on the district scale) a good accessibility to leisure facilities, healthy food, and public and green spaces can be integrated into the design to support health and well-being (Pineo & Rydin, 2018). Slow traffic should get the full priority, therefore fast automated vehicles are only allowed on a limited number of roads.