[Healthy design for sustainable communities].

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Urban Planning
• Environmental Science

Context:

• Quality of life is a complex, multifaceted concept with historical and evolving measurement approaches.
• Urban development decisions directly influence public health determinants such as pollution, equity, and accessibility.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines wellbeing broadly, encompassing physical and social environments.

Purpose:

• To explore the impact of urban planning and design on citizen health and quality of life.
• To propose a practical approach for local authorities to guide professionals in creating healthier urban spaces.
• To introduce a tool for assessing the sustainability of urban and architectural proposals.

Summary:

• This paper advocates for integrating health considerations into urban planning and design processes.
• It highlights how environmental and lifestyle factors, influenced by urban development, are key determinants of health.
• A performance indicator tool is presented to evaluate the sustainability of urban space and building designs.

Impact:

• Empowers local authorities to support professionals in enhancing urban space and architectural quality.
• Facilitates a common platform for stakeholders to align on goals for well-designed built environments.
• Contributes to creating more sustainable, attractive, and healthier cities for future generations.