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Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 March 2023) | Viewed by 24380

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Prof. Dr. Suhong Zhou

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Guest Editor

School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: urban geography; urban health; urban transport and land use; spatial-temporal of daily activities; applied geographic information science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over half the world’s people live in urban areas. The predominantly negative impacts of urban environmental pollution, climate change, traffic congestion, the COVID-19 pandemic, the insufficient and unbalanced supply of public facilities and services, and the qualities of the built environment and social settings on public health and well-being have received increasing concern from governments across multiple scales. Building a healthy city in the context of accelerating urbanisation has been challenging for urban planning, governance, and design by linking with multiple SDGs. There is an imperative need to smartly incorporate the new dimension of health into planning process through developing healthy urban planning frameworks. Such frameworks should be generated by systematically integrating interdisciplinary perspectives and international discourses. This Special Issue aims to recruit manuscripts on the original theories and innovative methods of relevant topics in the subject areas of urban health geography, urban environment exposure and health risks, urban residents' health behavior, urban medical service accessibility and social equity, healthy communities and streets, and healthy city design. Comparative empirical studies and critical reviews are also welcome. The applications of new technologies such as machine learning, virtual and mixed reality, and UAVs are particularly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Suhong Zhou
Guest Editor

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Keywords

healthy city
healthy urban planning
environmental health risks, built environment and health impacts
healthy behaviour and intervention
physical activity and exercise

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nonlinear Effects of the Neighborhood Environments on Residents’ Mental Health

by Lin Zhang, Suhong Zhou, Lanlan Qi and Yue Deng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416602 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2350

Abstract

In the context of rapid urbanization and the “Healthy China” strategy, neighborhood environments play an important role in improving mental health among urban residents. While an increasing number of studies have explored the linear relationships between neighborhood environments and mental health, much remains to be revealed about the nonlinear health effects of neighborhood environments, the thresholds of various environmental factors, and the optimal environmental exposure levels for residents. To fill these gaps, this paper collected survey data from 1003 adult residents in Guangzhou, China, and measured the built and social environments within the neighborhoods. The random forest model was then employed to examine the nonlinear effects of neighborhood environments on mental health, evaluate the importance of each environmental variable, as well as identify the thresholds and optimal levels of various environmental factors. The results indicated that there are differences in the importance of diverse neighborhood environmental factors affecting mental health, and the more critical environmental factors included greenness, neighborhood communication, and fitness facility density. The nonlinear effects were shown to be universal and varied among neighborhood environmental factors, which could be classified into two categories: (i) higher exposure levels of some environmental factors (e.g., greenness, neighborhood communication, and neighborhood safety) were associated with better mental health; (ii) appropriate exposure levels of some environmental factors (e.g., medical, fitness, and entertainment facilities, and public transport stations) had positive effects on mental health, whereas a much higher or lower exposure level exerted a negative impact. Additionally, this study identified the exact thresholds and optimal exposure levels of neighborhood environmental factors, such as the threshold (22.00%) and optimal exposure level (>22.00%) of greenness and the threshold (3.80 number/km²) and optimal exposure level (3.80 number/km²) of fitness facility density. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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17 pages, 549 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Association between Neighborhood Blue Space and Self-Rated Health among Elderly Adults: Evidence from Guangzhou, China

by Yujie Chen, Yuan Yuan and Yuquan Zhou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16342; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316342 - 6 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2060

Abstract

Blue spaces is associated with self-rated health (SRH), but little is known about the pathways underlying this association among Chinese urban elderly individuals. Based on neighborhood effect theory, this study examined the relationship between neighborhood blue spaces and SRH among elderly individuals using data from a questionnaire survey conducted in Guangzhou, remote sensing images, street views, and environmental information in the context of a Chinese megacity. In addition, multilevel linear model and mediating effect model empirical analyses were performed. Results showed that first, the SRH of the elderly was associated with individual- and neighborhood-level factors. Second, the multilevel mediation model revealed that multiple biopsychosocial pathways existed between neighborhood blue spaces and the SRH of the elderly, specifically, the blue space characteristics related to the SRH of the elderly via the mediating effect of stress. Third, owing to demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status, the stratified analyses also indicated a strong association between neighborhood blue spaces and SRH outcomes in the older and low-income groups. The mediating effect of stress in the age and income groups was also observed, and the mediation pathways and group differences were confirmed in the context of Chinese cities. This research enriches the empirical literature on blue spaces and elderly health from a multidisciplinary perspective and suggests the need for “healthy neighborhood” and “health-aging” planning in Chinese settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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19 pages, 7281 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Associations of Communal Space with Sense of Place and Mental Health in Public Housing: Evidence from Guangzhou and Hong Kong

by Tianyao Zhang, Jiahui Liu, Huiwei Chen and Mee Kam Ng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16178; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316178 - 3 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3695

Abstract

Communal space is regarded as essential for human well-being in high-rise developments in Asia and increasing attention has been given to the underlying mechanism of its effects in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. From the perspective of person–place processes, this paper explores ‘sense of place’ and its possible mediating effects on the relationship between communal space and the mental health of residents in high-rise public housing. An analysis of data from a questionnaire survey conducted in Hong Kong and Guangzhou revealed differentiated mechanisms according to local context and age group. Sense of place and its subcomponents mediated the connection between communal space and mental health in Hong Kong but not in Guangzhou. More specifically, place identity, place attachment and place dependence had stronger effects among older residents in HK than younger ones. The findings from this study can inform evidence-based planning and decision-making for public housing policy for health-oriented environments in high-density cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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22 pages, 3562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Do Different Urban Footpath Environments Affect the Jogging Preferences of Residents of Different Genders? Empirical Research Based on Trajectory Data

by Qikang Zhong, Bo Li and Yue Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14372; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114372 - 3 Nov 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2206

Abstract

In recent years, the impact of the urban environment on residents’ physical activity (PA) has received extensive attention, but whether this impact has differences in the jogging preferences of residents in different footpath environments and different genders requires further research. Therefore, based on jogging trajectory data, this paper uses the grouping multiple linear regression model to study the different influencing factors of different footpath environments on the jogging of residents of different genders. The results show that (1) jogging activities (JA) were mainly concentrated in the community footpath environment, and its peak was reached at night; (2) the rise and fall of elements in built environments, social environments, and natural environments significantly affected the relative jogging distance of residents; (3) Residential land density (RLD) has a positive impact on the JA of community and green land footpaths and has a negative impact on the JA of urban footpaths. However, arterial road density (ARD) and bus distance density (BDD) have opposite significant effects on the JA of communities and green land footpaths; (4) ARD has the significant opposite effect on the JA for residents of different genders on urban footpaths and community footpaths. Facilities diversity (FD), population density (PD), and bus stop density (BSD) also had significant opposite effects on the JA of residents of different genders on green land footpaths. In general, we put forward a method theory to identify the footpath environment and provide references for improving the layout and construction of different gender residents for different footpath environment elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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18 pages, 1540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Residential Environment Exposure and Subjective Wellbeing in Later Life in Guangzhou, China: Moderated by Residential Mobility History

by Lingling Su and Suhong Zhou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13081; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013081 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1937

Abstract

With rapid global urbanization, the importance of understanding relationships between the changing environment and wellbeing is being increasingly recognized. However, there is still a lack of understanding of how long-term residential environment exposure affects subjective wellbeing under the dual changes of geographical environment and residential location. Based on a survey of the elderly (people over 60 years old) in Guangzhou, China, this study analyzes the effect of long-term residential environment exposure over 25 years on subjective wellbeing in later life in the context of residential mobility. The study found that subjective wellbeing in later life is not only related to the current residential environment but also the cumulative exposure to the long-term residential environment. The relationship between long-term residential environment exposure and subjective wellbeing in later life tends to be stable with the increase of cumulative time, especially the cumulative years over 15 years. Considering the importance of residential mobility history, the study further analyzes the moderating effects of relocation frequency and residential location. Relocation frequency can strengthen the positive effect of residential environment on subjective wellbeing and weaken the negative effect of residential environment on subjective wellbeing, which confirms the existence of residential self-selection. In addition, the direction of effect of residential environment on residents who move between living in the urban center and the periphery is consistent with that of residents who have always lived in the urban center, while the effects of the residential environment on residents who have always lived in the urban center and those who have always lived in the urban periphery are related in different directions. The conclusion of this study can provide guidance for individuals’ residential choice and governance of the urban environment to improve wellbeing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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17 pages, 4107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identifying Key Factors Associated with Green Justice in Accessibility: A Gradient Boosting Decision Tree Analysis

by Sainan Du, Huagui He, Yanfang Liu and Lijun Xing

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610357 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2292

Abstract

Park green space (PGS) provides numerous environmental and health benefits for urban residents, and raises the issue of green justice for its uneven distribution in cities. Previous studies focus more on the measurements of spatial equity in accessibility, but are limited in exploring its impacts—especially the nonlinear influence. This study first measures accessibility and equity in two traffic modes, and then explores the nonlinear influence of multidimensional factors by using the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) model across the central urban area of Wuhan. The results show significant spatial disparities in spatial accessibility and equity by walking and driving within 15 min. Multidimensional factors—including characteristics of PGS, the built environment, and socioeconomic factors—present stronger nonlinear influences on spatial accessibility and equity, and the nonlinear influence indicates that the contributions of the built environment and socioeconomic factors are greater than those of park characteristics, accounting for at least 79.76%. The key variables affecting the accessibility and equity are not completely consistent, leading to synergistic and heterogeneous effects, which may provide policy implications for streets where accessibility and equity are mismatched. These findings could provide guidance for PGS planning by decision-makers to improve the living environment and urban health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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17 pages, 6268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Effects of Dynamic Interventions to Control COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Guangdong, China

by Yuan Liu, Chuyao Liao, Li Zhuo and Haiyan Tao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610154 - 16 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2230

Abstract

The emergence of different virus variants, the rapidly changing epidemic, and demands for economic recovery all require continual adjustment and optimization of COVID-19 intervention policies. For the purpose, it is both important and necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of different policies already in-place, which is the basis for optimization. Although some scholars have used epidemiological models, such as susceptible-exposed-infected-removed (SEIR), to perform evaluation, they might be inaccurate because those models often ignore the time-varying nature of transmission rate. This study proposes a new scheme to evaluate the efficiency of dynamic COVID-19 interventions using a new model named as iLSEIR-DRAM. First, we improved the traditional LSEIR model by adopting a five-parameter logistic function

β (t)

to depict the key parameter of transmission rate. Then, we estimated the parameters by using an adaptive Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, which combines delayed rejection and adaptive metropolis samplers (DRAM). Finally, we developed a new quantitative indicator to evaluate the efficiency of COVID-19 interventions, which is based on parameters in

β (t)

and considers both the decreasing degree of the transmission rate and the emerging time of the epidemic inflection point. This scheme was applied to seven cities in Guangdong Province. We found that the iLSEIR-DRAM model can retrace the COVID-19 transmission quite well, with the simulation accuracy being over 95% in all cities. The proposed indicator succeeds in evaluating the historical intervention efficiency and makes the efficiency comparable among different cities. The comparison results showed that the intervention policies implemented in Guangzhou is the most efficient, which is consistent with public awareness. The proposed scheme for efficiency evaluation in this study is easy to implement and may promote precise prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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18 pages, 6144 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Inequalities and Influencing Factors of Self-Rated Health and Perceived Environmental Hazards in a Metropolis: A Case Study of Zhengzhou City, China

by Hongbo Zhao, Li Yue, Zeting Jia and Lingling Su

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127551 - 20 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2573

Abstract

Research on environmental pollution and public health has aroused increasing concern from international scholars; particularly, environmental hazards are among the important issues in China, focusing public attention on significant health risks. However, there are few studies concentrated on how perceived environmental hazards are characterized by spatial variation and on the impact of these risks on residents’ health. Based on a large-scale survey of Zhengzhou City in 2020, we investigated how the self-rated health of residents and the environmental hazards perceived by them were spatially inequal at a fine (subdistrict) scale in Zhengzhou City, China, and examined the relationship among self-rated health, environmental hazards, and geographical context. The Getis–Ord Gi* method was applied to explore the spatially dependent contextual (neighborhood) effect on environmental health inequality, and the ordered multivariate logistic regression method was used to examine the correlative factors with environmental hazards, geographical context, and health inequality. The results reveal that self-rated health and environmental hazards were disproportionately distributed across the whole city and that these distributions showed certain spatial cluster characteristics. The hot spot clusters of self-rated health had favorable environmental quality where the hot spot clusters of environmental hazards were located and vice versa. In addition, health inequality was evident and was related to gender, income level, educational attainment, and housing area of residents, and the inequalities of environmental hazards existed with respect to income and housing area. Meanwhile, environmental risk inequalities associated with the social vulnerability of residents (the poor and those with low educational attainment) were obvious, with those residents experiencing a disproportionately high exposure to environmental hazards and reporting bad health conditions. The role of the geographical context (subdistrict location feature) also helps to explain the spatial distribution of health and environmental inequalities. Residents with better exposure to green coverage generally reported higher levels of self-rated health condition. In addition, the geographical location of the subdistrict also had a significant impact on the difference in residents’ self-rated health status. The purpose of this study is to provide reference for policy makers to optimize the spatial pattern of urban public services and improve public health and environmental quality at a fine scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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14 pages, 3881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facility or Transport Inequality? Decomposing Healthcare Accessibility Inequality in Shenzhen, China

by Zhuolin Tao and Qi Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6897; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116897 - 4 Jun 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3287

Abstract

Accessibility to healthcare services is crucial for residents’ wellbeing. Numerous studies have revealed significant spatial inequality in healthcare accessibility across various contexts. However, it still remains unclear whether the inequality is caused by the unbalanced spatial distribution of healthcare facilities or by unequal transport access to them. This study decomposes inequality in healthcare accessibility into facility- and transport-driven inequality by comparing scenarios of healthcare accessibility, which consider various combinations of multidimensional components of accessibility using different distance measures. Using a case study in Shenzhen, this study reveals that both facility distribution and transport access substantially contribute to spatial inequality in healthcare accessibility. Facility distribution accounts for 61.3% and 50.8% of the overall accessibility inequality for driving and transit modes, respectively. The remaining inequality is induced by imbalanced mobility provided by transport networks. Furthermore, the impact of transport component on healthcare accessibility is unevenly distributed. This study highlights that both facility- and transport-related countermeasures should be considered to improve the accessibility and equality of healthcare services. It provides transferable methods for quantitatively decomposing facility- and transport-driven inequality in accessibility to healthcare or other facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthy Cities: Bridging Urban Planning and Health)

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