We’re identifying and measuring the association between urban environment features and Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the HORUS project.
Unser neues Leitbild lässt sich in drei Worten zusammenfassen: Ideen verwirklichen.
Unsere 1.200 Kunden und 2.000 Partner in ganz Europa leben dies bereits. Einige unserer Partner sind dabei, die globalen Lieferketten für Batterien neu zu gestalten. Andere machen ihre Städte zu grünen, gesunden Orten zum Leben. Andere führen die Energiewende mit stadtweiter Aktionsplanung und neuen Renovierungstechniken an.
Bei all diesen Initiativen unterstützen wir engagierte Changemaker, die in ihrer Stadt, Branche oder Gemeinde einen echten Wandel herbeiführen. Durch einzigartige Pilotprojekte und sektorübergreifende Kooperationen, die sich über einen ganzen Kontinent und darüber hinaus erstrecken, bündeln wir Europas Ressourcen und Fachwissen, um erste praktische Schritte für Ideen zu unternehmen, die die Art und Weise verändern, wie wir leben, uns bewegen und bauen.
A recent report carried out by Bax and Healthy Cities uncovers the relationship between the configuration of cities and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. In the frame of the HORUS project, the aim was to analyse the characteristics of the urban environment of three cities: Rijeka, Valencia and Rotterdam, and understand how different urban contexts can promote or hinder a healthy lifestyle.
Bax assessed 18 physical and functional characteristics in each neighbourhood, such as proximity to public spaces, accessibility of the pedestrian network or the density of shops and other basic services, as well as each neighbourhood’s average income and percentage of population with higher education level. By comparing these results with data on unhealthy habits collected through surveys and the existing rate of chronic conditions, it’s possible to identify patterns that highlight the impact of our urban surroundings on shaping our health.
How was this work developed?
- First, a review of the available literature was carried out, based on previous reviews done by the Healthy Cities team, linking different urban aspects (i.e., proximity to greenspaces, walkability, population density) to health outcomes.
- Then, the most relevant aspects of the urban environment for this analysis were identified and indicators were defined for each.
- A data-driven analysis was done with GIS software to map and measure indicators of each urban feature. This consisted of two types of processes depending on the nature of the indicator: either dividing the city into 500-metre cells forming a grid, or using the administrative boundaries of the neighbourhoods or districts.
- This resulted in a total of 68 maps analysing physical and functional aspects, 6 socio-economic analyses and 25 with health variables, based on data provided by the three cities.
This work sets the basis for further analysis. The University of Valencia will use the results to classify each neighbourhood and compare the results not only within each city but also among the three cities, to obtain substantive conclusions on the relationship between the urban environment and the behaviour associated with NCDs.
The results demonstrate the need to work cross-sectionally between different areas, in this case, urban planning and health, to address the problems in a holistic and integral way and to provide solutions that will improve the quality of our cities and general health. Recognising the city’s potential as a tool for health and incorporating health in all policies is key to achieving city-dwellers‘ health and wellbeing.
Check out the full report to find out more about the results here and follow us to keep up to date with the project’s progress!
The HORUS (Health Outcomes from Raised Urban Settings) project aims to transform urban health habits and lifestyles to make cities become positive health determinants for people. It is funded by the European Union and led by the Instituto de Polibienestar of the University of Valencia, in collaboration with Bax, the Universities of Rijeka and Rotterdam, Fundació Fisabio and Kveloce.
Learn more about the HORUS project and our work in Healthy Cities
If you want to learn more about how you can make your city healthier, reach out to a member of our team.
