Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tanja Bruechert, Paula Quentin, Gabriele Bolte
Summary: The built environment has a significant impact on promoting active mobility among older adults. Street connectivity, proximity and number of destinations are the most important attributes influencing cycling and e-biking for transport. Age, sex, and mobility impairments can moderate the association between the perception of the built environment and active mobility.
Article
Urban Studies
Anna C. Hurlimann, Georgia Warren-Myers, Josh Nielsen, Sareh Moosavi, Judy Bush, Alan March
Summary: This paper develops a process map to describe the key processes involved in producing the built environment and the coordination between key sectors. The motivation behind this map is to facilitate research and identify opportunities for coordinated action to address challenges such as climate change and sustainable development.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xueying Wu, Yi Lu, Jingjing Wang, Bin Jiang
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the relationship between built environment characteristics and the spatial distribution of protests in Hong Kong from June 2019 to January 2020. The study revealed that areas with higher building density, government and commerce point-of-interest (POI) density, metro accessibility, park density, and street greenery experienced more protesting activities. Furthermore, illegal and violent protests were more likely to occur in regions with more government and commercial buildings, high metro accessibility, and a high level of street greenery.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chelsea D. Christie, Christine M. Friedenreich, Jennifer E. Vena, Liam Turley, Gavin R. McCormack
Summary: Although there is contradictory evidence, this cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis suggests that socioeconomic status may modify the associations between the neighborhood built environment and physical activity, particularly for adults with lower status. However, the overall associations between built characteristics and walking were small and statistically non-significant.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cassandra Collyer, Megan F. Bell, Hayley E. Christian
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that the built environment has an influence on early child development, with variations depending on the socioeconomic status (SES) of neighborhoods. This study aimed to identify the built environment features associated with variations in early child development and how these associations differ between high and low SES neighborhoods. The findings suggest that the impact of built environment features on child development may vary depending on the socioeconomic status of the neighborhood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Arlind Dervishaj, Kjartan Gudmundsson
Summary: This paper reviews digital tools for supporting the Circular Economy (CE) in the built environment and provides suggestions. The study identifies limitations in the functionalities of current tools, including a lack of representative data for LCA and underdeveloped circularity indicators. Further development is needed in terms of interoperability aspects, integration of more sources of data for LCA and circularity, and possibilities for a comprehensive evaluation of design choices.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Geography
Jieun Lee, Igor Vojnovic, Sue C. Grady
Summary: This research examines the impact of urban form on pedestrian activity in neighborhoods experiencing rapid decline in US Midwest cities, such as those in Detroit. The study confirms that compact urban form promotes non-automobile travel and emphasizes the importance of a balanced land use mix in encouraging pedestrian activity. It also explores travel inequities and abandonment in neighborhoods with severe disinvestment and extreme income divergence, providing a deeper understanding of travel behaviors among lower-income, racial minorities in highly segregated urban neighborhoods.
Article
Environmental Studies
Gesche M. Huebner, Tadj Oreszczyn, Kenan Direk, Ian Hamilton
Summary: This paper examines how subjective wellbeing is influenced by housing and neighborhood characteristics, considering personal variables as well. The study shows that personal variables have the strongest relationship with wellbeing, but housing and neighborhood variables also play a significant role. Difficulties in maintaining room temperature, fuel poverty, and heating cost burdens are associated with lower wellbeing. Low area satisfaction and feelings of insecurity also contribute to lower wellbeing. The effects of these variables vary across different measures of wellbeing, raising the question of which aspect of wellbeing should be addressed. The study also highlights the challenges of targeting interventions for households with the lowest wellbeing based on publicly available data. Additionally, the research community needs to address methodological challenges in identifying appropriate covariates, defining wellbeing, and measuring key variables.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ali Reza Sadeghi, Maryam Ebadi, Fatemeh Shams, Sina Jangjoo
Summary: This study examined the relationship between the subjective well-being of citizens and perceived neighborhood environment characteristics in urban historical fabrics. The results showed a significant positive correlation between social inclusion and perceived neighborhood environment characteristics. Additionally, there were moderate positive correlations between satisfaction with life, mental well-being, positive and negative effect, and feeling of happiness, as well as a weak positive correlation with physical and mental health.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mishell Barreno, Ivan Sisa, Martha Cecilia Yepez Garcia, Hua Shen, Monica Villar, Irina Kovalskys, Mauro Fisberg, Georgina Gomez, Attilio Rigotti, Lilia Yadira Cortes, Rossina G. Pareja, Marianella Herrera-Cuenca, Viviana Guajardo
Summary: The study assessed the association between physical activity level and built environment in Latin America, finding that the current built environment in the region does not promote physical activity. This highlights the need for policies and interventions at regional and national levels to create a safe, healthy, and friendly environment to encourage participation in active recreation and sports during leisure time.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Istiaque Ahmed, Marjolein van Esch, Frank Van der Hoeven
Summary: This study provides a review of heatwave research in the Netherlands, focusing on the built environment, based on the vulnerability framework. The review highlights the need for micro-level research that considers people's everyday experiences and resilience during heat events to find context-specific adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Article
Urban Studies
Mohammad Javad Koohsari, Tomoki Nakaya, Gavin R. McCormack, Koichiro Oka
Summary: This interdisciplinary article provides an evidence-based discussion on the role of the supportive built environment on cancer prevention and raises possible equality challenges in the built environment-cancer links. It focuses on the key links between the built environment and cancer prevention strategies, discussing how the built environment may reflect and contribute to inequalities in cancer.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Kai Zhang, Robert D. Brook, Yuanfei Li, Sanjay Rajagopalan, Juyong Brian Kim
Summary: As the world becomes more urbanized, there is growing concern about how urban environments impact cardiovascular health. Urban residents are exposed to various adverse environmental factors such as air pollution, built environment, and lack of green space, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and related risk factors. This article provides an overview of studies examining the impact of the environment, discusses current challenges in the field, and suggests potential directions for future research. The clinical implications of these findings are highlighted, alongside proposed interventions to promote cardiovascular health among children and young adults.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Sport Sciences
P. Shamsipour Dehkordi, L. L. Hardy, A. Shams, F. Sohrabi
Summary: This study aimed to measure motor competence among different age groups (5-85 years) in Iran. The results showed a u-shaped distribution of motor competence with age, with rapid improvement during childhood and adolescence, and gradual decline after the age of 25. The findings have important implications for understanding the development of motor competence across different age groups and maintaining health in older age.
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
H. Fangfang, H. Xiao, Z. Shuai, W. Qiong, Z. Jingya, S. Guodong, Z. Yan
Summary: The study found that there are sex-specific associations between living and built environment and cognitive function among older adults in China. Male participants living in a non-dusty environment had higher MMSE scores and lower risk of MCI, while male participants with no access to recreation spaces had lower MMSE scores and higher risk of MCI. Female participants living far from a supermarket had significantly lower MMSE scores than those who lived near a supermarket.
JPAD-JOURNAL OF PREVENTION OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Geography
Karen Villanueva, Geoffrey Woolcock, Sharon Goldfeld, Robert Tanton, Sally Brinkman, Ilan Katz, Billie Giles-Corti
Summary: This study explores neighborhood-built environment features related to better than expected and as expected early childhood development outcomes in disadvantaged communities in Australia. Findings suggest that housing factors are consistently associated with better than expected outcomes, while physical access to services and public transport, living in a walkable area, having high-quality public open space, and a mix of local destinations are perceived to be consistently important by community members regardless of ECD outcomes.
CHILDRENS GEOGRAPHIES
(2023)
Article
Urban Studies
Julian Bolleter, Bill Grace, Nicole Edwards, Sarah Foster, Paula Hooper
Summary: The challenge of reconciling population growth and infrastructure with rising sea levels requires the retreat of urban areas and migration of foreshore reserves to maintain ecosystem service functions.
JOURNAL OF URBAN DESIGN
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexia Bivoltsis, Hayley Christian, Gina L. Ambrosini, Paula Hooper, Claire E. Pulker, Lukar Thornton, Gina S. A. Trapp
Summary: This study systematically reviewed Australian literature to examine the association between geospatial exposure to food outlets and diet, health, or weight status. The majority of the included articles were from Victoria and used cross-sectional design. The results showed that overall, associations were mainly null for diet, weight status, and health outcomes. The study recommends addressing current knowledge gaps and limitations, improving research quality, and incorporating theoretical models into study design and data analysis. Improving the quality and consistency of research is critical for informing policy and planning aimed at improving the community food environment.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu, Gizachew A. Tessema, Ben Mullins, Bernard Kumi-Boateng, Anthony Adofo Ofosu, Gavin Pereira
Summary: This study examined the association between prenatal long-term ambient temperature exposure and stillbirth in Ghana. It found that long-term heat stress exposure was associated with a greater risk of stillbirth.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marwan Awad Ahmed, Helen D. Bailey, Gavin Pereira, Scott W. White, Kingsley Wong, Bridgette J. McNamara, Paul Rheeder, Rhonda Marriott, Carrington C. J. Shepherd
Summary: This retrospective cohort study examined the impact of diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) on neonatal outcomes in Aboriginal women from Western Australia. It found that DIP increased the risks of fetal overgrowth, shoulder dystocia, and congenital anomalies in Aboriginal babies. Improving diabetes care for Aboriginal women and further research on preventing shoulder dystocia can help reduce these disparities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
John M. A. Duncan, Bryan Boruff
Summary: Fine spatial resolution urban vegetation datasets are important for monitoring change in green space and guiding planning and policy initiatives. Differences in the generation of fine spatial resolution datasets could affect how urban vegetation is represented.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Annette K. Regan, Gavin Pereira
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maryam Mozooni, Gavin Pereira, David Brian Preen, Craig Edward Pennell
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the influence of acculturation on the risk of preterm birth and low birthweight in immigrants in Australia. The study found that less acculturated migrant women had a higher risk of preterm birth but lower risk of low birthweight compared to Australian-born women. Conversely, more acculturated migrant women had a similar risk of low birthweight but higher risk of preterm birth compared to Australian-born women. These findings suggest the importance of considering acculturation when providing antenatal care to migrants.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andrea Nathan, Jasper Schipperijn, Trina Robinson, Phoebe George, Bryan Boruff, Stewart G. Trost, Hayley Christian
Summary: We explored how parent perceptions of the neighbourhood environment moderate the relationship between objectively measured attributes of the neighbourhood environment and physical activity levels in pre-schoolers. The presence of neighbourhood parks positively influenced energetic play in pre-schoolers when parents perceived good access to services. However, objective measurements of street connectivity were associated with lower levels of energetic play when parents perceived pedestrian and traffic safety to be poor. A better understanding of the parental role in shaping physically active environments for pre-schoolers is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elizabeth J. J. Wenden, Rosa Virgara, Natasha Pearce, Charley Budgeon, Hayley E. E. Christian
Summary: This international scoping review examined the prevalence, content, development, and implementation of early childhood education and care (ECEC)-specific movement behavior policies. The study found that most policies originated in the United States, were subnational, and developed with government, non-government organizations, and ECEC end-users. However, many policies lacked evaluation tools and had not been reviewed since the publication of 24-h movement guidelines.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Phoebe George, Kevin Murray, Hayley Christian
Summary: This study examined the access, use, benefits, and potential negative effects of different types of blue spaces by families with young children. The findings showed that beaches were the most frequently used blue space by families, regardless of distance, and were perceived to promote children's health, development, and environmental awareness. However, blue spaces could also pose potential risks for families with young children.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ha Trong Nguyen, Hayley Christian, Huong Thu Le, Luke Connelly, Stephen R. Zubrick, Francis Mitrou
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the differential impact of weather conditions on physical activity and sleep time allocation in children and adults. The findings showed that unfavourable weather conditions, such as cold, hot, or rainy weather, led to a reduction in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity time and an increase in sedentary time for children. However, these weather conditions had little impact on children's sleep time or the time allocation of their parents.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Pulan Bai, Jasper Schipperijn, Michael Rosenberg, Hayley Christian
Summary: This study used a novel device-based method to explore where preschool children engage in physical activity outside of home and childcare settings. By combining accelerometry with geospatial data, this study objectively identified the locations where preschool children engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) within and outside of their neighborhood. The findings highlight the importance of local parks and playgrounds as well as the homes of others for preschool children's physical activity.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vidushi Patel, Bryan Boruff, Eloise Biggs, Natasha Pauli, Dan J. Dixon
Summary: Predicting the spatial distribution of flowering forage availability is crucial for guiding decisions in migratory beekeeping. Species distribution modelling (SDM) is commonly used in predicting geographic distribution or species ranges. In this study, a method is presented for stacking SDMs based on the temporal element of flowering phenology for melliferous flora species.
Review
Environmental Studies
Billie Giles-Corti, Sarah Foster, Bella Lynch, Melanie Lowe
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of incorporating health considerations into urban planning. City mayors have committed to creating 15-minute cities where daily amenities are within walking or cycling distance, with the aim of building healthier, more sustainable, equitable, and resilient cities. To reduce the risk of future pandemics, it is necessary to mitigate climate change, limit urban expansion, and use nature-based solutions. Cross-sector leadership and investment are crucial for achieving these goals.
NPJ URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
