Urbanization, Health & Equity

The physical environments in which people live have substantial implications for health. Features of the built environment in cities—such as urban form, housing morphology, public spaces—may encourage, or discourage healthy behaviors such as physical activity, healthy diets, and positive social interactions between residents, and ultimately lead to better or worse physical or mental health outcomes or well-being among city dwellers. This relationship between health and the built environment, including the presence and quality of green or open spaces accessible to residents, has been examined in a growing body of literature. BCNUEJ aims to contribute to this literature, adding an equity-focused frame to understand how green spaces and other aspects of the built environment in cities relate to health.