Gesundheitsförderung durch städtische Planung

The importance of health-promoting urban planning is becoming increasingly relevant in view of increasing urbanization and the high global prevalence of noncommunicable diseases. Although there are legal requirements for the consideration of health aspects in urban planning processes, there is a need for action regarding the targeted strengthening of health-promoting potentials.

This article examines important key factors in urban planning and their direct effects, which play a role in human health during the course of health-promoting planning. After reviewing these factors, the resulting consequences and approaches for action are presented.

Key urban planning factors can positively influence various areas such as physical activity, nutrition, heat, air pollution, noise, or stress perception, which are associated with risk reduction and positive effects for several noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, or diabetes.

In the context of preventing noncommunicable diseases, greater consideration must be given to the design of the urban environment in the future. More interdisciplinary cooperation between urban planning and public health services is important. The integration of health impact assessments into urban development processes could help to better recognize and utilize the health-promoting potential of urban planning measures.