Our study provides robust, localized evidence from Srinagar, India, linking road traffic noise exposure to increased hypertension risk, particularly among women and highly stressed individuals. It highlights the inadequacy of applying high-income country data to low- and middle-income country contexts.
To understand the current drivers of air pollution, we used two natural experiments (Car-Free Day and COVID-19 Lockdown) to examine their impact on air pollution using particulate matter air pollution data in Kigali City. The health impact of non-motorized transport events in Kigali, known as ‘Car-Free Days,’ goes beyond just mass physical exercise. Importantly, it has reduced air pollution by 15%, this is expected to save more than 200 disability-adjusted life years annually.
People from equity-deserving groups have unique needs, barriers, and priorities that need to be addressed in order to create inclusive and accessible active transportation. This paper highlights some of the complexities of planning for different cultures, languages, ages, and abilities. Recommendations are made to support municipalities with creating better active transportation infrastructure and policies.
Recognizing the challenges of social isolation and loneliness among the aging population; research attention is turning to explore the social dimension of urban design and questions of how the built environment can support social interaction. In the rapidly evolving context of transit-based urbanism, urban spaces not only enhance the city’s overall livability but also offer older adults increased accessibility and interaction opportunities beyond their immediate residential neighbourhood, potentially alleviating feelings of social isolation and loneliness.
Unregulated urbanization in Islamabad fuels flooding and health risks like dengue, revealing gaps in environmental health integration. Our study’s insights urge planners to prioritize equitable, health-focused urban policies.
The image of older people in China preferring to live with their children is not uniformly the case, particularly for those with the most resources, and with fewest. Not enough is known about preferences for what kinds of places older Chinese want to live in, including the design, location, and tenure of homes.
This study provides critical insights into the complexity of implementing 30 km/h speeds, and opportunities to enhance systems to catalyse change.
We explored the influence of third places on walking habits across life stages. Our study demonstrates the unique goal structures for students, workers, and retirees, identifying key patterns shaping walking behavior in cities. Integrating these findings into urban planning can revolutionize cityscapes and promote healthier, more active communities.
Our findings revealed that despite the limited play destinations compared to the local child population, children’s outdoor play experiences are predominantly positive. This positive outlook is attributed to their sense of safety within familiar spaces and strong social ties with neighbours beyond their immediate families. Key contributing factors include the proximity of schools and play areas to residential locations, the strategic placement of playgrounds along home-to-school routes, and the hierarchical relationship among neighbourhood open spaces.
The System for Observing Outdoor Play Environments in Neighborhood Schools (SOOPEN) is a new systematic observation tool to assess children´s play behavior. SOOPEN uses a novel group dynamics approach. The tool has good reliability and is accompanied by a user-friendly protocol.