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.

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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.

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Young autistic adults walk like seniors aged 65 and over

March 7, 2026

Our study shows that young autistic adults and older adults face similar patterns with walking, particularly at night or for leisure activities. These findings highlight a very poor health prospects for autistic adults as they age due to lack of physical and social activity. These findings underscore the need to rethink urban spaces for diverse needs. By identifying these patterns, we provide a foundation for creating urban environments that are more inclusive, accessible, and supportive of sustained physical activity and better health outcomes for autistic individuals as they age.

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Creating age-friendly parks: Insights from machine learning analysis on qualitative user data

March 7, 2026

any parks and public spaces are not designed with seniors in mind, lacking features that encourage physical activity and social interaction. This can lead to isolation, decreased mobility, and poor health outcomes. Unlock the potential of urban parks to promote healthy ageing. Our research identifies the essential design elements that encourage seniors to stay active, providing a roadmap for cities to create an inclusive and supportive environment.

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What determines better neighbouring among affordable housing residents in Metro Vancouver, Canada

March 5, 2026

At the intersection of urban and public health policy, the success of higher-density affordable housing solutions to serve an inclusive well-being agenda depends upon reducing the association of these lifestyles and built environments with loneliness and social isolation. We construct a pro-neighbouring index and test its predictors using an ordinal logistic regression model based on resident survey data.

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A framework to integrate health into urban climate policies: A city-level approach for better planning

March 5, 2026

Urban planning significantly impacts public health, yet health considerations are often overlooked in city development strategies. Climate change further exacerbates urban health risks, particularly in vulnerable regions. Despite growing recognition of the link between urban planning and health, cities lack structured methodologies to quantify and integrate health-related data into policy. Without systematic approach, cities struggle to identify disparities, allocate resources effectively, and create health-resilient urban environments. Addressing this gap is critical for sustainable urban development.

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