Exploring the nexus of urban form, transport, environment and health in large-scale urban studies
A state-of-the-art scoping review
Georgia M.C. Dyer (Pompeu Fabra University, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP))
Sasha Khomenko (Pompeu Fabra University, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), ISGlobal, Barcelona)
Deepti Adlakha (TU Delft - Urban Studies)
Susan Anenberg (The George Washington University)
Martin Behnisch (Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development)
Geoff Boeing (University of Southern California)
Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez (Western Sydney University)
Antonio Gasparrini (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
Mark Nieuwenhuijsen (ISGlobal, Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Pompeu Fabra University)
undefined More Authors
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Background
As the world becomes increasingly urbanised, there is recognition that public and planetary health relies upon a ubiquitous transition to sustainable cities. Disentanglement of the complex pathways of urban design, environmental exposures, and health, and the magnitude of these associations, remains a challenge. A state-of-the-art account of large-scale urban health studies is required to shape future research priorities and equity- and evidence-informed policies.
Objectives
The purpose of this review was to synthesise evidence from large-scale urban studies focused on the interaction between urban form, transport, environmental exposures, and health. This review sought to determine common methodologies applied, limitations, and future opportunities for improved research practice.
Methods
Based on a literature search, 2958 articles were reviewed that covered three themes of: urban form; urban environmental health; and urban indicators. Studies were prioritised for inclusion that analysed at least 90 cities to ensure broad geographic representation and generalisability. Of the initially identified studies, following expert consultation and exclusion criteria, 66 were included.
Results
The complexity of the urban ecosystem on health was evidenced from the context dependent effects of urban form variables on environmental exposures and health. Compact city designs were generally advantageous for reducing harmful environmental exposure and promoting health, with some exceptions. Methodological heterogeneity was indicative of key urban research challenges; notable limitations included exposure and health data at varied spatial scales and resolutions, limited availability of local-level sociodemographic data, and the lack of consensus on robust methodologies that encompass best research practice.
Conclusion
Future urban environmental health research for evidence-informed urban planning and policies requires a multi-faceted approach. Advances in geospatial and AI-driven techniques and urban indicators offer promising developments; however, there remains a wider call for increased data availability at local-levels, transparent and robust methodologies of large-scale urban studies, and greater exploration of urban health vulnerabilities and inequities.
help_outline