[Development and implementation of the Japanese version of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) checklist for urban...

Objectives　This project aimed to introduce Health Impact Assessment (HIA) into urban redevelopment planning in Japan to promote health-conscious urban environments and support wider HIA implementation. We applied HIA to the "University of Tokyo Nishi-Chiba Campus Redevelopment Project" in Chiba City, Japan, to examine potential effects on residents' health and well-being.Methods　Among the three HIA types (comprehensive, rapid, and desktop), we selected the rapid HIA because of time limitations. The project carried out the initial four HIA steps: screening, scoping, appraisal, and reporting, excluding monitoring. We developed an HIA assessment matrix tailored to Japanese urban development by adapting the "HIA Screening Tool" of the Japanese Society of Public Health and consulting international HIA resources. Using this matrix, we organized three workshops that included local government officials, developers, and academic experts. The workshops evaluated potential health impacts of the redevelopment from multiple stakeholder perspectives.Results　Each indicator in the matrix was examined, and consensus on judgments was reached during the workshops. Based on these judgments, we identified necessary improvements and formulated recommendations. Pre-development recommendations included creating a green-space map with resident involvement, enhancing information sharing with nearby medical facilities, and implementing transportation and mobility measures. Post-development recommendations included establishing an area-management organization, hosting community events to support interaction between existing and incoming residents, and strengthening collaboration with local businesses. Our research group compiled these recommendations into a final report and provided it to the developers and the local government.Conclusion　This HIA project enabled a systematic evaluation of the health impacts of an urban redevelopment initiative and generated actionable recommendations. Workshops involving diverse stakeholders improved the credibility and practical value of the assessment. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including limited public participation, a compressed schedule, and constrained influence on major design elements because HIA was introduced at an advanced project stage. We expect that the "HIA Checklist for Urban Planning in Japan" developed through this study will be incorporated into future redevelopment efforts and contribute to the broader adoption of HIA and the advancement of healthier urban environments in Japan.