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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 16760

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Andrea Rebecchi

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Guest Editor

Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
Interests: urban health; salutogenic cities; healthy lifestyles promotion; healthy design strategies; walkable environment; therapeutic landscape design; healing architectures; healthy living spaces
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Marija Jevtic

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: public health; urban health; climate change; one health; planetary health; mental health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue entitled “Sustainable Built Environment Management and Urban Public Health Outcomes” aims to bridge the knowledge from public health experts to designers (architects and urban planners), or from policy-makers to local health agencies, and vice-versa, addressing the capabilities of the built environment to promote and protect health and well-being, and to boost actions and policies aimed to transform our cities into healthier and “salutogenic” living environments.

Huge global changes are occurring on our planet in natural and urban environments. Climate change, demographic trends, urbanization phenomena, and numerous other environmental and social issues form serious challenges to preserving a healthy future on a global scale. It is necessary to take urgent actions that are forthcoming by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, UN) and for the reduction of environmental risk factors such as pollution, heat island effect (HIE), solid waste management, water management, etc.

Moreover, the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, which has now exceeded 29 million notified infections world-wide (4 million in the EU) and about 900,000 deaths (210,000 deaths in the EU), is a strong reminder that urbanization has changed the way that people and communities live, work, and interact, and it is necessary to make the systems and local capacities resilient to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. How we can redesign the concept of public health in relation to the built environment and the contemporary cities?

This research question represents the scope/purpose of this Special Issue, aiming to include narrative contributions of experiences, literature reviews, policies and actions discussion, and best practices—both experienced and evidence-based.

Prof. Dr. Andrea Rebecchi
Prof. Dr. Marija Jevtic
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

urban health
environmental health
healthy urban planning strategies
healthy design strategies
community-based urban strategies
experienced-based urban strategies
public health outcomes
healthy places
sustainable development goals (SDGs)
non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Public Health Framework for Smart Cities within the Comprehensive Approach to Sustainability in Europe: Case Study of Diabetes

by Luís Velez Lapão, Jorge César Correia and Marija Jevtic

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4269; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054269 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2215

Abstract

European cities should address the climate change challenges, improving quality of life and reducing costs. They need potential smart and digital approaches. Public health (PH) has recognized climate change as a major challenge. The development of urban policies should be guided by evidence-based PH practices. The environmental health determinants and the climate crisis now represent a clear PH threat. The core of the Smart City is sustainability, and its basic condition is active PH. The inclusion of public health into the pillars of the Smart City concept to contribute toward mitigating PH crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is a framework for action. Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) is used to elicit a Smart Public Health City (SPHEC) framework. A set of PH and smart city experts participated in the DSRM process, using diabetes as a case study. The European Green Deal served as a blueprint for this transformational change toward a healthier and more sustainable city. The SPHEC framework was defined by elucidating clearly the several dimensions of the PH functions within a digital city, via the identification of a set of digital PH services that are required to support the SPHEC framework. This allows for an assessment of the actual benefits that are obtained with the digital health services, and provides evidence for guiding decision-making. The role of digital PH services emerges from the analysis of the SPHEC framework, through the development of proper digital health services within the smart city, strengthening capacity and resilience in future climate emergencies, and motivating policy makers to take this challenge more seriously. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment Management and Urban Public Health Outcomes)

17 pages, 4230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Explorative Study on Urban Public Space Renovation during COVID-19: Test of a Visual Web-Based Survey about the City of Saint German en Laye, France

by Maddalena Buffoli, Silvia Mangili, Stefano Capolongo and Andrea Brambilla

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12489; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912489 - 30 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1706

Abstract

Background: The complex socio-epidemiological situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced cities to rapidly adapt to new prevention distancing measures. Several interventions have been made but specific tools are needed to rapidly verify the suitability of such design proposals. This study aims to describe the process of development and testing of a visual web-based survey to assess potential user feedback on Urban Public Space renovation for the city of Saint Germain-En-Laye (SGL), France during the pandemic. The renovation included pedestrianization strategies for the city center and the design and installation of new street furniture. Method: After an exploration of the literature and stakeholder interaction, an online survey composed of three sections and seven questions evaluating the project was developed to rapidly validate the design solution before its actual installation and compare the pre- and post-situation trough visual insights on a 5-point Likert scale. Data was collected through a Google Form and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: We received 371 full replies from Italian and French respondents. The survey results showed that the Urban Public Space proposal improved the baseline situation for different reasons, such as safety, sustainability, and accessibility. In fact, Solution A (the existing situation) obtained an average score of 2.08 while Solution B (the design solution) obtained 4.13. Conclusions: The features identified allowed for timely comparisons and possible insights, and the approach can be implemented in other medium-sized European cities dealing with Urban Public Space transformation during COVID-19. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment Management and Urban Public Health Outcomes)

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12 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Health at a Glance in Italy by PASSI and PASSI d’Argento Surveillance Systems Data

by Federica Nobile, Rosaria Gallo, Valentina Minardi, Benedetta Contoli, Valentina Possenti and Maria Masocco

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5931; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105931 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2235

Abstract

(1) The percentage of the world’s urban population is 56% and is expected to reach 68% by 2050. In this study, we have investigated the dimensions of individual health by relating them to the type of residing municipality. (2) We also analyzed the health status, prevention, lifestyle, and elderly conditions in illustrated from PASSI and PASSI d’Argento (PdA) surveillance systems data by estimating the prevalence rates and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for different municipal residences. (3) Urban areas negatively influence some health outcomes, such as respiratory system diseases (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.18–1.30). With regards to the spontaneous participation in screening programs from female adults residing in urban areas, we observed ORs of 1.24 (1.13–1.37) and 1.30 (1.12–1.39) for breast and uterine cervix cancers, respectively. Urban contexts seem to promote healthy lifestyles, as there is a lower consumption of alcohol in both adult (0.92; 0.88–0.95) and elderly populations (0.85; 0.77–0.94), although sedentary life is more widespread. Compared to elderly residents living in rural settings, urban individuals find their neighborhood less safe and are less considered as a “resource”. (4) Urban areas promote some unhealthy conditions but can also be a valuable source of services and perspectives. According to the increasing urban population, public health policies towards implementing sustainable development should be established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment Management and Urban Public Health Outcomes)

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19 pages, 837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Whose Health in Whose City? A Systems Thinking Approach to Support and Evaluate Plans, Policies, and Strategies for Lasting Urban Health

by Silvio Cristiano and Samuele Zilio

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12225; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112225 - 5 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3250

Abstract

An increasing interest has been present in scientific literature and policy making for the links between urban environments and health, as also learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaboration between urban planning and public health is therefore critical for enhancing the capabilities of a city to promote the well-being of its people. However, what leverage potential for urban health can be found in existing plans, policies, and strategies that address urban health? Starting from the relationship between urban systems and health issues, the purpose of this contribution is to broaden the systemic knowledge of urban systems and health so as to try to figure out the impact potential of local urban governance on public health. Considering the systemic nature of health issues, as defined by the World Health Organisation, this is done through a systems thinking epistemological approach. Urban health proposals are studied and assessed in four European cities (Copenhagen, London, Berlin, and Vienna). Current criticalities are found, starting from the guiding goal of such proposals, yet a systemic approach is suggested aimed at supporting and evaluating lasting and healthy urban planning and management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment Management and Urban Public Health Outcomes)

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Review

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21 pages, 1097 KiB

Open AccessReview

Build Healthier: Post-COVID-19 Urban Requirements for Healthy and Sustainable Living

by Marija Jevtic, Vlatka Matkovic, Milica Paut Kusturica and Catherine Bouland

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9274; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159274 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3060

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a renewed interest in urban environment and healthy living and the changes in urban environments which can make for a healthier living. Today, more than 50% of the global population lives in urban areas, and in Europe the number is 75%. We present a narrative review to explore considerations and necessary requirements to achieve health and well-being within strategies for healthy design and urban planning whilst rethinking urban spaces for a post-COVID-19 and carbon-neutral future. The achievement of health and well-being demands healthy design strategies, namely, (1) moving from the concept of infrastructure for processes to the infrastructure for healthy living—requirements for healthy places, cycling, walking, disintegrating the role of polluting traffic from the urban environments, social vulnerability and equality; (2) physical space that will achieve standards of ‘liveable communities’—open, green space requirements and standards for any built environment; (3) mainstreaming ‘in-the-walking distance’ cities and neighbourhoods for healthy physical activities for daily living; (4) exploring any of the new concepts that connect the nexus of urban spaces and public health and improving of the population’s well-being. Public health needs to be prioritised systematically in planning of built environments, energy generations, sustainable food production, and nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment Management and Urban Public Health Outcomes)

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9 pages, 910 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Adoption of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Urban Health: A Scoping Review

by Martina Sapienza, Mario Cesare Nurchis, Maria Teresa Riccardi, Catherine Bouland, Marija Jevtić and Gianfranco Damiani

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7480; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127480 - 19 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2547

Abstract

As more people live in cities, the impact of urban settings on population health has been increasing. One of the main strategies to cope with urbanization is adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and new digital technologies to develop new urban services that improve citizens’ health and well-being. The aim of this study is to review urban interventions and adopting digital technologies and AI-based algorithms to improve population health. A scoping review of the literature was conducted by querying MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The included studies were categorized into one urban health area, suggested by the WHO, according to the type of intervention investigated. Out of 3733 records screened, 12 papers met all inclusion criteria. Four studies investigated the “outdoor and indoor pollution” area, one “climate change”, one “housing”, two “health and social services” and four “urban transport” areas. Only one article used a comprehensive approach to public health, investigating the use of AI and digital technologies both to characterize exposure conditions to health determinants and to monitor population health effects, while the others were limited to characterizing exposure conditions to health determinants, thus employing a preliminary public health perspective. From this point of view, countries should foster synergy for the development of research on digital technologies to address the determinants of health in the urban context. From a global health perspective, sharing results with the scientific community would also allow other countries to use those technologies that have been shown to be effective, paving the way for more sustainable living conditions worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environment Management and Urban Public Health Outcomes)

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