3.5 Neighborhood and Built Environment

The neighborhood and built environment significantly impact public health outcomes. From housing quality to urban design, these factors shape our daily lives and well-being. They influence our access to resources, exposure to environmental hazards, and opportunities for healthy behaviors.

Transportation, food environments, and green spaces play crucial roles in community health. Safety concerns and environmental justice issues further highlight the complex interplay between our surroundings and health. Understanding these connections is key to addressing health disparities and promoting equitable communities.

Built Environment and Urban Planning

Housing and Urban Design

Top images from around the web for Housing and Urban Design

• 

  Frontiers | COVID-19 Pandemic: Rethinking Strategies for Resilient Urban Design, Perceptions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Urban Design and the Role of Placemaking in Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | COVID-19 Pandemic: Rethinking Strategies for Resilient Urban Design, Perceptions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Urban Design and the Role of Placemaking in Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Housing and Urban Design

• 

  Frontiers | COVID-19 Pandemic: Rethinking Strategies for Resilient Urban Design, Perceptions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Urban Design and the Role of Placemaking in Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | COVID-19 Pandemic: Rethinking Strategies for Resilient Urban Design, Perceptions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Urban Design and the Role of Placemaking in Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• Built environment encompasses all human-made spaces where people live, work, and engage in recreation (buildings, streets, parks)
• Housing quality significantly impacts health outcomes
  • Poor housing conditions (overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, pests) contribute to respiratory illnesses, injuries, and mental health issues
  • Affordable, stable, and well-maintained housing promotes physical and mental well-being
• Urban planning shapes the layout and functionality of cities and neighborhoods
  • Effective urban planning considers population density, land use, and zoning to create livable and sustainable communities
  • Poor urban planning can lead to urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and limited access to essential services
• Walkability measures how conducive an area is to walking
  • Walkable neighborhoods have well-connected streets, sidewalks, and destinations within walking distance (grocery stores, schools, parks)
  • High walkability encourages physical activity, reduces car dependence, and fosters social interaction

Transportation Infrastructure

• Transportation systems influence access to healthcare, employment, education, and social services
• Public transportation (buses, trains, subways) provides affordable and environmentally friendly mobility options
  • Efficient public transit reduces traffic congestion, air pollution, and transportation costs
  • Limited or unreliable public transportation can hinder access to resources and opportunities
• Active transportation infrastructure (bike lanes, multi-use trails) promotes physical activity and reduces car use
• Transportation planning should prioritize safety, accessibility, and connectivity for all users (pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, transit riders)

Environmental Factors

Food and Green Environments

• Food environment refers to the availability, affordability, and quality of food in a given area
  • Food deserts are areas with limited access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food options (often in low-income neighborhoods)
  • Food swamps are areas with an overabundance of unhealthy food options (fast food, convenience stores)
  • Improving food environments can involve incentivizing grocery stores, farmers markets, and community gardens in underserved areas
• Green spaces are natural areas within urban environments (parks, gardens, forests)
  • Access to green spaces promotes physical activity, mental well-being, and social cohesion
  • Green spaces help mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, and manage stormwater runoff
  • Equitable distribution of green spaces across neighborhoods is essential for health equity

Environmental Exposures and Justice

• Environmental exposures refer to contact with harmful substances or conditions in the environment (air pollution, lead, noise)
  • Exposure to environmental hazards can lead to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and cancer
  • Low-income and minority communities often face disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards (industrial facilities, highways)
• Environmental justice seeks to address the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits
  • It advocates for fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all communities in environmental decision-making
  • Environmental justice initiatives aim to reduce disparities in exposure to environmental hazards and promote access to clean, healthy environments

Community Safety

Neighborhood Safety and Crime

• Neighborhood safety encompasses both actual and perceived levels of crime and violence
• High crime rates and fear of crime can lead to stress, anxiety, and social isolation
  • Exposure to violence, particularly during childhood, can have long-lasting impacts on mental health and development
  • Fear of crime can deter outdoor physical activity and limit access to community resources
• Strategies to improve neighborhood safety include community policing, youth programs, and neighborhood watch groups
• Addressing underlying social determinants (poverty, education, employment) is crucial for long-term crime reduction and community well-being
• Safe and well-maintained public spaces (streets, parks, community centers) foster a sense of community and deter criminal activity