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Seven key urban health policy ideas were found in the planning of Sydney’s Western Parkland City that draw upon different ontological perspectives. This case study prompts policy actors and researchers to reflect on their own assumptions, and others’ underlying assumptions to better understand where and how collaborations should occur.
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Target audience
City officers, urban planners, and urban health researchers.
The problem
Policy actors often fail to challenge their own assumptions about their policy ideas or recognise that these views may not be shared with others. This lack of reflexivity can reinforce implicit biases, leading to ineffective policies, incoherent policy ideas, lack of collaboration, confusion, and distrust.
What we did and why
We examined the foundational assumptions underpinning key urban health policy ideas within the planning of the Western Parkland City in Sydney, Australia. This analysis aims to foster a comprehensive understanding among policy actors, encouraging effective engagement in transdisciplinary collaborations.
Our study’s contribution
Our research reveals that the urban health policy ideas are informed by diverse ontological perspectives, transcending specific sector-based knowledge. This case study highlights the complexity and diversity of ontological perspectives that shapes urban health policy ideas in real-world urban planning policymaking.
Impacts for city policy and practice
Acknowledging both the similarities and differences in how actors perceive urban health policy ideas is critical in fostering a transdisciplinary approach to promote health through urban planning. Emphasising coherence rather than consensus in problem definition, goal setting, and implementing solutions is essential for effective transdisciplinary urban policy development.
Further information
Full research article:
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