Realising Healthy Urban Areas

Abstract

Preventive measures for a healthy population are becoming a trending topic in the Netherlands because of rising costs of care and an increasing population of elderly. Due to this, prevention methods in the built environment can help with minimising this problem. Urban area developments are ways for improving or developing new built environments. Health will need to become part of these developments. To research this, the following question was answered: ‘’How can actors involved in urban area (re)developments in the Netherlands realise healthy urban areas?’’ The research was conducted using mixed methods of literature study, questionnaires and case studies. What was found is that actors need to collaborate following the rules of collaborative governance. Many challenges are seen such as ambiguous definitions and difficulties with monitoring. However, recommendations are found. These are: extended front-end work; digital twinning; involving medical actors; assigning an ambassador of health; introducing an after-delivery team for health; collaborating with knowledge institutes; monitoring on city level and introducing a database; investing increased returns in health interventions; clear norms set by the state; and a communal knowledge of health. These can help future healthy developments to be realised.