Biophilic design for walkable streets: Health-centred insights for urban action

March 17, 2026

How can we design walkable streets that promote health through nature?
This scoping review synthesises international and cross-cultural research—drawing from English and Chinese studies—to clarify intervention types and health mechanisms, offering an essential evidence base for healthier, more connected urban environments. Our findings reframe streets as inclusive, restorative spaces for health—not just transport infrastructure.

Read More »

Jakarta’s position in global health and sustainable city progress

March 15, 2026

This pioneering study on healthy and sustainable indicators for Jakarta is the first in Indonesia to use the Global Healthy and Sustainable City Indicators framework. As the most populous city in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, Jakarta’s inclusion provides valuable insights into its status compared to 25 international cities. We offer a critical perspective on existing spatial indicators, highlighting the need for precise definitions and careful interpretation within the city’s local context. Additionally, we propose new indicators to help policymakers and public health officials develop more adaptable measures for urban health and sustainability.

Read More »

Aligning active mobility and active aging: Challenges in designing age-friendly cities in Portugal

March 14, 2026

Experts agree that the planning of public space in light of new active mobility trends and policies has not properly taken into account the active aging policies and the context of older people as users, especially in the construction of a barrier-free and safe environment. Only through the alignment of active mobility and active ageing policies is it possible to respond to the needs and to include people of all ages

Read More »

Walkable Campuses: Tactical urbanism and complete streets in Brazilian knowledge territories

March 14, 2026

Exploring complete streets implementation in knowledge production territories, this research examines the potentials and limitations of using campuses as living labs, applying tactical urbanism. It identifies the opportunities for enhancing walkability and inclusivity and the challenges, e.g. regulatory issues and limited funding, stressing the role of governance and community engagement.

Read More »

Manageable slices through the city: walkable space supporting mobile, democratic and dynamic clinics

March 13, 2026

Mental health needs are poorly understood in the development and management of public space. However, people recovering from health issues such as psychosis need to use city space in their everyday lives. We note that large sites in city centres continue to be made available. As such their redesign and management needs to factor in these broader needs. There will be further benefits to people with conditions such as anxiety, depression and autism.

Read More »

The creation and testing of a street audit to assess barriers in urban streetscapes and areas for people with a visual impairment

March 7, 2026

This street matrix tool can be used by urban planners and other built professionals both to plan new streetscapes and also to assess exisiting streetscapes for improvement. Currently, in many global contexts, it is good practice to make areas accessible for all and complete street audits. Despite this, without background knowledge of visual impairment and other disabilities, it can be difficult to assess these challenges and provide adequate solutions. This street matrix makes this more accessible and easy to assess these areas.

Read More »
A wooden planter with some flowers in the middle of a residential street. On the front is a green sign saying 'ROAD OPEN TO', followed by icons representing an adult holding a child's hand, a person on a push scooter, a person using a wheelchair, a bicycle.

Walking and wheeling in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: A mixed methods study of the impact of schemes on disabled people’s journeys

March 7, 2026

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are being introduced in UK cities to reduce motorised through-traffic in residential areas, create better conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling, and change the hierarchy of uses in public spaces. Existing evidence shows that schemes work and generate important public health benefits. However, the experiences of disabled people with these schemes have yet to be explored. This is important because public space and the built environment are important facilitators and barriers in the lives of disabled people.

Read More »