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Government Obligations and the Negative Right to a Healthy Urban Environment
Sana Loue1, Jared Ontko2, Timothy Nicholas3
1Professor in the Department of Bioethics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.
AMA Journal of Ethics
|November 4, 2024
Summary
Urban development negatively impacts health through pollution and reduced green space. Individuals have a right to protected spaces, obligating governments to mitigate harm and promote public well-being.
Area of Science:
- Urban planning and public health
- Environmental science
- Socio-economic impacts of development
Background:
- Urban development contributes to environmental stressors like noise and light pollution.
- Increased population density in urban areas can worsen public health issues, including disease transmission and stress.
- Existing urban planning often overlooks the adverse health and environmental consequences for residents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assert the right of individuals and communities to be free from negative impacts of urban development.
- To establish the ethical obligations of governments in urban planning and infrastructure development.
- To advocate for urban environments that promote public health, ecological well-being, and peace.
Main Methods:
- This article presents a rights-based argument grounded in ethical and public health principles.
- It analyzes the adverse effects of common urban development practices.
- It outlines the responsibilities of governing bodies in addressing these impacts.
Main Results:
- Urban development inherently creates conditions detrimental to human health and the environment.
- Individuals possess a negative right against encroachment by urban development.
- Governments have a corresponding ethical duty to implement mitigating infrastructure.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing the right to un-impinged space is crucial for urban public health.
- Proactive governmental infrastructure development is essential for mitigating urban health risks.
- Ethical urban planning must prioritize environmental preservation and public well-being.
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