Speakers
Description
Urban spaces play a crucial role in shaping social behaviors and the quality of life of residents. In this context, urban structures also influence public health outcomes. The quality of green spaces, accessibility to recreational infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly urban design significantly impact residents' health. However, the implementation of these elements varies across cities. Analyzing the relationship between the accessibility of urban spaces for non-motorized users (walkability) and the location of health-promoting infrastructure can provide valuable insights into optimal urban planning strategies.
This study analyses how the accessibility of recreational infrastructure aligns with health policies to support pedestrian mobility and public health outcomes. The research focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing urban health infrastructure in the centers of three European cities (Łódź, Aveiro, and Enschede). The selected cities represent diverse European urban contexts, offering insights into varied health policy implementations and urban planning strategies..
The first phase of the research involves mapping key elements of the urban landscape, such as green spaces and recreational infrastructure supporting physical activity. This includes both indoor facilities (pools, fitness clubs) and outdoor amenities (sports fields, outdoor gyms).
The second phase examines the accessibility of urban spaces for non-motorized users, correlating data on the existence of health-promoting infrastructure with its direct accessibility within the city. The focus is exclusively on pedestrian mobility (walkability), emphasizing the shift from institutionalized health measures toward organically integrating healthy lifestyles into communities.
A critical final phase of the study involves analyzing the alignment of these findings with the statutes and programs of public health institutions in the three countries corresponding to the examined areas.
The results will help policymakers, urban planners, and public health institutions to design inclusive and equitable public spaces that promote social justice. Identifying best practices applicable worldwide will contribute to improving residents' quality of life and making urban spaces more pedestrian-friendly. Moreover, the comparative analysis of health policies will help identify areas requiring intervention at both national and local levels. This study bridges geospatial urban analysis with health policy evaluation, contributing a novel framework for planning healthy urban environments.
In conclusion, the project underscores the importance of integrating green spaces, recreational infrastructure, and walkability as essential components of healthy urban environments. The interdisciplinary approach, combining geospatial analysis with health policy evaluation, can deliver comprehensive recommendations for creating sustainable, healthy cities and robust urban development strategies that promote public health.
References
Dietz, L.W., Šćepanović, S., Zhou, K., Zanella, A.F., Quercia, D., Examining Inequality in Park Quality for Promoting Health Across 35 Global Cities. arXiv. Computers and Society. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2407.15770
Cysek-Pawlak, M.M., Pabich, M. (2020). Walkability – the New Urbanism principle for urban regeneration. Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability, 14(4), 409–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549175.2020.1834435
Juul, V., Nordbø, E.C.A. (2023). Examining activity-friendly neighborhoods in the Norwegian context: green space and walkability in relation to physical activity and the moderating role of perceived safety. BMC Public Health 23, 259. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15170-4
A.L. Dannenberg, H. Frumkin, R.J. Jackson, Making Healthy Places. Designing and Building for Health, Well-being, and Sustainability, Island Press: 2011
J.K. Davies, M. Kelly, Healthy Cities Research and Practice, Routledge: 1994
| Keywords | public space; inclusion; sustainability; health; walkability |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
