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“A healthy city” is one that, in the words of the World Health Organization (WHO), “offers a physical and built environment that supports health, recreation and wellbeing, safety, social interaction, easy mobility, a sense of pride and cultural identity. And that is accessible to the needs of all its citizens.”
Building sustainable, resilient ecosystems that address the three main pillars of sustainability—profits, planet. And people—is the key to developing cities that promote health, welfare, and equity.
Here are 5 strategies to advance health, wellbeing, and equity in cities as governments, private organizations, business titans. And individuals all drive efforts to foster greater sustainability in urban environments:
Eco-friendly living and a healthy urban environment
Urban settings are distinguished from other environments by the WHO due to their major emphasis on structures, the public realm, green areas, and transportation networks.
As our cities become increasingly urbanized, hardscaped areas surround us. City planners are increasingly employing techniques to include more green areas that support eco-friendly living in order to achieve more parity in health.
The yearning for natural connection in humans is profound. Living and working in areas that are cut off from nature might actually make stress symptoms worse. The concepts of biophilic design can help us do this by introducing more natural components into our homes.
With the ‘designing for wellness’ movement on the rise, natural components are being added to rooms to make them more appealing. Such as green walls, natural timbers, access to natural sunlight, and closeness to water.
This trend is crucial for workplaces as it may enhance employee engagement, morale, and productivity while lowering stress levels and absenteeism.
Supportive and Safe City Mobility
A citywide framework that supports social and physical regeneration may be provided through innovative urban design.
Cities of today are growing “smarter” than ever before since they are the center of innovation and economic development. We see that technology advancements are rapidly being implemented into public networks to increase connectedness and improve the standard of living.
Urban regions are combining Internet of Things (IoT) sensors with cloud-based technology in order to gather data and build data-driven ecosystems that offer insightful information and aid in more effective management of assets, resources, and services.
Smart technologies may be used, for instance, to manage transportation systems, monitor air quality. And enhance public transit networks while increasing the effectiveness of city operations and services for residents.
A strong and dependable public transportation system can increase economic growth and employment opportunities as well as provide safe and effective transportation in emergency situations. It can also contribute to a healthier environment by lowering carbon emissions and improving air quality.
Sustainable urban planning and environment
In order to build systems that promote sustainable urban growth, we must promote intersectorial collaboration in our cities.
“There’s no green without blue” is a guiding principle of Polypipe Middle East.
According to Managing Director Adam Smith, “the movement for more sustainable cities is a global endeavor. To achieve this aim, intelligent water management systems are more crucial than ever.
Water shortage is a problem everywhere, but it is especially acute in the MENA area. It is a priceless resource that, if used constructively rather than destructively, may change the way urban environments are designed.
Adopting sustainable systems. Such as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) that allow the construction of blue-green roofs, can, for instance, provide an environmentally friendly way to reduce flooding, enhance water quality. And lessen the effect of the Urban Heat Island, making cities more comfortable and livable.
In order to address the determinants of health and build safer environments. We can design systems that are more effective, long-lasting, and cost-effective by encouraging major industrial sectors to collaborate.
Comforting and Encouragement Environments
Greater health equity is supported by compassionate and hospitable urban settings. Because of this, health is becoming more and more considered in urban development.
It is essential to build with healthy indoor and outdoor spaces in mind. Taking into account the needs of demographic vulnerable groups like the elderly and young children.
Vertical growth is a trend in cities. However, systems and facilities are frequently not properly adapted as buildings get taller.
For instance, rotten odors in buildings brought on by leaks and mold are a typical issue in the area. These may contain toxic gases that are dangerous to the health of those inside, specially vulnerable populations who are present more frequently.
Integrating strategies designed specifically for high-rise buildings to enhance indoor air quality and reduce health risks can be a straightforward first step toward fostering more compassionate and encouraging environments.
Active and Healthful Living
Health is described by the World Health Organization as “a state of full physical, mental. nd social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
In addition to preventing and reducing health hazards, healthy cities also work to advance social inclusion, personal wellbeing, and improved health.
City people are spending more time indoors and missing out on the emotional and physical advantages of exposure to nature as a result of lengthy workdays and sedentary lifestyles.
For instance, many buildings don’t use their roofs. These areas can have green roofs. Which can subsequently be used for business purposes or as multipurpose areas with facilities for health and exercise.
A sense of culture and community is fostered by parks and gardens. They also give residents places to unwind, which can enhance cognitive performance and reduce stress.
They can even be used for urban farming to offer local residents with local, fresh, seasonal. And organic crops, improving local food security.
There is no denying that health and wellbeing are playing a bigger and bigger role in metropolitan life.
Innovative urban planning may help create surroundings that promote greater health, welfare, and equity. We must break down barriers, develop new concepts, be early adopters. And establish new alliances if we want to advance and build these cities.
Building resiliency in our cities and developing urban landscapes that promote health, wellness, and fairness all need legislation, intersectorial collaboration, and early involvement.
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