Transforming cities for sustainability: A health perspective

Area of Science:

• Urban Planning and Public Health
• Environmental Sustainability Science

Background:

• Cities face urgent planetary health challenges requiring transformative change.
• Existing frameworks for urban health and environmental sustainability often operate in silos.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conceptually frame and unpack city-level transformation for synergistic health and environmental benefits.
• To develop an understanding of how cities can integrate health and sustainability goals.

Main Methods:

• Interdisciplinary literature review.
• Analysis of characteristics of a 'healthy sustainable city'.
• Synthesis of health and sustainability frameworks.

Main Results:

• Urban transformation must be a multi-scalar process across city sectors.
• Integration of health and sustainability requires a composition of mechanisms.
• Key mechanisms include strengthened governance, innovation, planning, and behavior change.

Conclusions:

• Achieving significant improvements in urban health and environmental sustainability necessitates integrated, multi-scalar approaches.
• Systems-driven policy and practice-focused scientific evidence are crucial supports.
• A holistic strategy is essential for creating healthy, sustainable cities.