New urban models for more sustainable, liveable and healthier cities post covid19; reducing air pollution, noise and heat island effects and increasing green space and physical activity
Journal article
Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.. (2021). New urban models for more sustainable, liveable and healthier cities post covid19; reducing air pollution, noise and heat island effects and increasing green space and physical activity. Environment International. 157, p. Article 106850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106850
Authors | Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J. |
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Abstract | Cities are centres of innovation and wealth creation, but also hotspots of air pollution and noise, heat island effects and lack of green space, which are all detrimental to human health. They are also hotspots of COVID19. COVID19 has led to a rethink of urban public space. Therefore, is it time to re-think our urban models and reduce the health burden? We provide a narrative meta-review around a number of cutting edge and visionary urban models that that may affect health and that have been reported over the past few years. New urban concepts such as the Superblocks, the low traffic neighbourhood, 15 Minute city, Car free city or a mixture of these that may go some way in reducing the health burden related to current urban and transport practices. They will reduce air pollution and noise, heat island effects and increase green space and physical activity levels. What is still lacking though is a thorough evaluation of the effectiveness and acceptability of the schemes and the impacts on not only health, but also liveability and sustainability, although they are expected to be positive. Finally, the COVID19 pandemic may accelerate these developments and stimulus funding like the EU Next Generation funding should be used to make these changes. |
Keywords | cities; traffic; urban planning; transport; COVID19; air pollution; noise; green space; heat; physical activity; superblocks; 15-minute city; low traffic neighbourhoods; car free city |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Environment International |
Journal citation | 157, p. Article 106850 |
Publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
ISSN | 0160-4120 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106850 |
PubMed ID | 34531034 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85116030102 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC8457623 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1-8 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 13 Sep 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 24 Aug 2021 |
Deposited | 21 Mar 2022 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8x91z/new-urban-models-for-more-sustainable-liveable-and-healthier-cities-post-covid19-reducing-air-pollution-noise-and-heat-island-effects-and-increasing-green-space-and-physical-activity
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Publisher's version
OA_Nieuwenhuijsen_2021_New_urban_models_for_more_sustainable.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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