Exploring the nexus of urban form, transport, environment and health in large-scale urban studies: A state-of-the-art scoping review

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Georgia M.C. Dyer - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Sasha Khomenko - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Deepti Adlakha - , Delft University of Technology (Author)
  • Susan Anenberg - , George Washington University (GWU) (Author)
  • Martin Behnisch - , Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (Author)
  • Geoff Boeing - , University of Southern California (Author)
  • Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez - , Western Sydney University (Author)
  • Antonio Gasparrini - , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (Author)
  • Haneen Khreis - , Medical Research Council (MRC) (Author)
  • Michelle C. Kondo - , United States Department of Agriculture (Author)
  • Pierre Masselot - , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (Author)
  • Robert I. McDonald - , The Nature Conservancy (Author)
  • Federica Montana - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Rich Mitchell - , University of Glasgow (Author)
  • Natalie Mueller - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • M. Omar Nawaz - , George Washington University (GWU) (Author)
  • Enrico Pisoni - , European Commission Joint Research Centre Institute (Author)
  • Rafael Prieto-Curiel - , Complexity Science Hub Vienna (Author)
  • Nazanin Rezaei - , University of California at Santa Cruz (Author)
  • Hannes Taubenböck - , German Aerospace Center (DLR), University of Würzburg (Author)
  • Cathryn Tonne - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Daniel Velázquez-Cortés - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Mark Nieuwenhuijsen - , Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, Pompeu Fabra University, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)

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.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number119324
JournalEnvironmental research
Volume257
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2024
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38844028

Keywords