Field Experiments on Health and the Built Environment in Urban Settings: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Urban planning and design
• Environmental psychology
• Public health

Background:

• The built environment's impact on health is well-studied using observational methods.
• Field experiments are less common in urban planning despite their potential to assess health impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how field experiments have been used to assess the health and wellbeing impacts of the built environment.
• To identify research gaps and opportunities for using field experiments in urban planning.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of studies published between 2015-2025.
• Included studies used field experimental designs in urban or peri-urban settings.
• Analyzed studies based on focus, design, outcomes, and limitations.

Main Results:

• 26 studies met the criteria, with most focusing on urban green features (over two-thirds).
• Mental health and wellbeing were more frequently assessed than physical health.
• Few studies involved direct built environment transformations; most compared existing conditions.

Conclusions:

• There is significant potential to expand the use of field experiments beyond green features.
• Field experiments can inform urban transformations, especially with the rise of tactical urbanism.
• Further research is needed to explore diverse built environment interventions using field experimental designs.