Urban planning and health

More than half of the world’s population live in urban areas, and this is expected to increase in the coming years given the urbanization process that the population worldwide is facing nowadays.

It is well-known that cities provide numerous opportunities, but at the same time, environmental factors in cities represent an important determinant of the health and well-being of the population. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases, or diabetes), which account for 71% of all deaths globally every year, are usually linked to environmental factors and unhealthy lifestyles. Cities affect people’s mental health and well-being and are also hot spots for the spread of infectious diseases (e.g. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, pneumonia, dengue, diarrhoea, COVID-19, etc.). Moreover, cities are a source of violence and injuries, including road traffic injuries.

However, the impact of urban exposome on public health can be modified through changes in the design and planning of our cities, considering health and well-being essential assets of this process. In fact, cities can – and should – promote health through the reduction of air pollution, noise and urban heat islands, the promotion of active and healthy lifestyles, the provision of available – and affordable – healthy food, climate action, and proper housing conditions, waste management and sanitation, among others. In a nutshell, cities will be used in the way we design them.

The world today has a unique opportunity to guide urbanization and other major urban development trends in a way that protects and promotes the health of the population. Health is essential for fostering good urban livelihoods, building a productive workforce, creating resilient and vibrant communities, enabling mobility, promoting social interaction, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Strategic urban planning will be the key to creating supportive and enabling environments for health, making sure that health and equity considerations are integrated throughout the planning process, investments, and policy decisions at the local level.