scholarly journals How the City of Utrecht develops a Health and Equity in all Policies approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Weber
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
The City

Abstract Public health policy, spatial and environmental policies are within the Dutch municipalities’ competencies. In 2021 a new act will be implemented, in which todays’ more sectoral acts and decrees will be integrated into the so-called (Healthy) Living environment act. This will require more integrated, inter-sectoral and multi-level governance approaches. And new topics and societal challenges, such as health, sustainability and resilience, are introduced within the physical planning domains. Dutch reviews learn that public health and social domains are collaborating quite well at the local level. The cooperation and integration of health, environmental and spatial planning, on the other hand, often is less or even absent. In Utrecht, though, the latter inter-sectoral approach is strong; health in all policies has been the ‘mantra’ since several years. Supported and institutionalized through strong political leadership, and inter-disciplinary teams at neighbourhood and city level, for policy development and implementation in line with the city’s ambitions of Healthy Urban Living for Everybody. Utrecht is the healthiest and fastest growing city in the Netherlands, and aims to use its growth (in population, jobs, houses, etc.) to address health inequalities. The city is linking spatial challenges with social challenges, building and improving houses and residential areas for all citizens. A new initiative, called social renovations, will be explored and reviewed within the JAHEE process. This initiative addresses many of the relevant topics, such as healthy living environment planning, stakeholder involvement and specifically reaching ‘hard to reach groups’, and improving housing and public space conditions and subsequently health and well-being of vulnerable groups.

scholarly journals COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT ON THE WELL-BEING OF THE CITY POPULATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-137
Author(s):  
Alexandra Alekseevna KORMINA
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
City Population ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

The method of assessing the impact of factors of diff erent nature on the components of the city’s living environment that determine favorable living conditions and the well-being of the population is considered. It is statistically established that the variety of factors should be taken into account when assessing and normalizing the combination of multifactorial impacts on demographic and social processes occurring in the urban environment. Combinations of the most signifi cant interacting factors and statistical models based on them can be taken into account when predicting the level of morbidity, the dynamics of migration processes, the family well-being of the population, and others. The developed models and assessment methodology can serve as a tool to support management decision-making to ensure a high level of quality of life of the population and urban development of residential areas.

scholarly journals Country Report: How do Serbian municipalities currently promote health and health equity?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Karadzic ◽  
D Jovanovic ◽  
M Vasic
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Present System ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Country Report

Abstract A legal framework set in Serbia provide good basis for creating healthy living environment and health promotion at local level. The present system of local government in Serbia, with its 174 units is regulated by the Law on Local Self Government. In accordance to this Law each municipality has got a certain level of decision-making. Creating healthy living environment is one of the key objectives of municipal policy and its agenda. However, the extent of their inclusion and implementation is very heterogeneous between municipalities. Unequal municipalities’ capacities (financial, technical, human resources) for coordination and development of healthy living environment on the municipality level are crucial challenge. In order to support the activities at the local level, the Network of 24 regional institutes of public health, led by the Institute of Public Health of Serbia, develops public health guidance, participate in drafting local strategies, programs and activities. Additional support is provided by the Local Health Councils, increasing a political sensibility for prioritizing issues to achieve healthy living environment. The coherent framework of mandates, local strategies and action plans for improving the public health have been established through widespread cooperation between the institutes of public health, health councils, and other stakeholders (e.g. nongovernmental organizations and governmental bodies such as the ministries responsible for education, environmental protection, youth and sport). In spite of that, their implementation is restricted by low awareness of importance of health equity and health promotion. In that sense, training and education on health promotion and health equity issues are crucial to raise the awareness, increase health literacy and enable satisfactory and quality implementation of defined strategies, programs and activities at the municipality level.

Conclusion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Llano
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Social Conflict ◽  
Musical Performance ◽  
The Public ◽  
Political Interests ◽  
Musical Practices ◽  
The Media ◽  
The City

As is described in this conclusion, more than the media and culture, Madrid’s public space constituted the primary arena where reactions and attitudes toward social conflict and inequalities were negotiated. Social conflict in the public space found expression through musical performance, as well as through the rise of noise that came with the expansion and modernization of the city. Through their impact on public health and morality, noise and unwelcomed musical practices contributed to the refinement of Madrid’s city code and the modernization of society. The interference of vested political interests, however, made the refining of legislation in these areas particularly difficult. Analysis of three musical practices, namely, flamenco, organilleros, and workhouse bands, has shown how difficult it was to adopt consistent policies and approaches to tackling the forms of social conflict that were associated with musical performance.

Towards a Sustainable Built Environment : Environmentally Concious Planning, Design and Construction

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norhayati Mahyuddin
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Global Environment ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Ultimate Outcome ◽  
Design And Construction

Cities, urban areas and other built-up areas must possess a good healthy living environment which contributes to the general well-being of the regional and global environment. This can be achieved if buildings and other man-made objects are planned and designed in an environmentally appropriate fashion to promote sustainability. This paper is directed towards the ultimate outcome of providing a better built-environment. It reviews how we can enhance environmentally-concious planning, design and construction in the built environment involving all building professionals.

Urban Health and Healthy Cities Today

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyne de Leeuw ◽  
Jean Simos ◽  
Julien Forbat
Keyword(s):  
Urban Health ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Healthy Cities ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Global Networks ◽  
The City

The authors of this article purport that for current understanding of Healthy Cities it is useful to appreciate other global networks of local governments and communities. In a context where the local level is increasingly acknowledged as decisive in designing and implementing policies capable of tackling global threats such as climate change and their health-related aspects, understanding how thousands of cities across the world have decided to respond to those challenges appears essential. Starting with the concept of “healthy cities” in the 1980s, the trend toward promoting better living conditions in urban settings has rapidly grown to encompass today countless “theme cities” networks. Each network tends to focus on more or less specific issues related to well-being and quality of life. These various networks are thus not limited to more or less competing labels (Healthy Cities, Smart Cities, or Inclusive Cities, for instance), but entail significant differences in their approaches to the promotion of health in the urban context. The aim of this article is to systematically typify these “theme cities.” A typology of “theme cities” networks has several objectives. First, it describes the health aspects that are considered by the networks. Are they adopting a systemic perspective on all health determinants, such as Healthy Cities, or are they focusing on “hardware” determinants like Smart Cities? Second, it highlights the key characteristics of the networks. For instance, are they pushing for technological solutions to health problems, like Smart Cities, or are they aiming at strengthening communities in order to mitigate their detrimental effects, like Creative Cities? Third, the typology has the potential to be used as an analytical tool, for example, in the comparison of the results obtained by different types of networks in urban health issues. Finally, the typology offers a tool to enhance both transparency and participation in the policymaking process taking place when selecting and engaging in a network. Indeed, by clarifying the terms of the debate, decisions can be made more explicit and achieve a greater level of congruence with the overall objectives of the city. Indeed, Healthy Cities today need to make alliances with other theme networks, and this typology gives the keys to find which networks are the “natural best allies,” avoiding mutually harmful antagonisms. In that sense, the typology developed should be of interest to any actor involved in health promotion at the city level, whether in an existing “theme cities” policy process or as willing to participate in such a program, and to scholars interested in better understanding the main drivers of “theme cities” networks, a rapidly growing field of study.

scholarly journals Steps Towards Comprehensive Heat Communication in the Frame of a Heat Health Warning System in Slovenia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5829
Author(s):  
Tjaša Pogačar ◽  
Zala Žnidaršič ◽  
Lučka Kajfež Bogataj ◽  
Zalika Črepinšek
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Health Warning ◽  
Health Measures

Occupational heat stress has an important negative impact on the well-being, health and productivity of workers and should; therefore, be recognized as a public health issue in Europe. There is no comprehensive heat health warning system in Slovenia combining public health measures with meteorological forecasts. The aim of this research was to provide insight into the development of such a system in Slovenia, turning the communication from the current meteoalarm into a broader system that has more information for different social groups. To achieve this goal, the following steps were used: Analysis of summer temperatures and issued meteoalarms, a survey of the general knowledge about heat among the public, organization and management of two stakeholder symposia, and a final survey on workers’ opinions on heat stress and measures, supplemented by interviews with employers. Summer average daily temperature distributions in Slovenia changed during the investigated period (1961–2019) and the mean values increased over time by 2–3 °C. Additionally, the number of days with fulfilled yellow (potentially dangerous) and especially orange (dangerous) meteoalarm conditions increased significantly after 1990. The survey of the general public about heat stress and warnings showed that efforts to raise awareness of heat issues need to be intensified and that public health measures should effectively target vulnerable groups. Stakeholder symposia and further surveys have shown that awareness and understanding of the negative effects of heat stress on health and productivity are still quite low, so effective ways of disseminating information to different sectors while striking the best balance between efficiency, feasibility and economic cost have to be found.

Environmental Health Equity: A Concept Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Dodd-Butera ◽  
Margaret Beaman ◽  
Marissa Brash
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Health Equity ◽  
Environmental Ethics ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Public Health Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Concept Analysis ◽  
Step Method

Public health practice and ethics address both individual and environmental health, in order to optimize the well-being of an entire population. Consideration of environmental health equity (EHE) is an evolving component of environmental ethics and public health, with evidence of disparities in exposure to vulnerable communities. Related terms for studying EHE include elements of justice, social determinants of health (SDOH), disparities, and environmental racism. The unequal protection from environmental exposures, specifically considering vulnerable and marginalized populations is significant to science, society, and health. Analyzing the environmental impact includes examining equity principles to assist policy and decision-making in the public arena, in order to address unfair burdens placed on vulnerable populations. However, the lack of a common and precise term for the idea makes it to instruct and evaluate the experiences of inequities in diverse populations. The purpose of this research is to use a concept analysis to examine the idea, utility, and conditions surrounding “EHE” for use in public health, nursing, environmental ethics, policy development, and interprofessional collaboration. A concept analysis will be conducted following the eight-step method developed by Walker and Avant (2011). Data sources will include empirical and descriptive literature; and the results will identify defining attributes of the concept. A set of operationalized standards for EHE is established through this concept analysis. This study proposes an examination of the concept in order to assess and evaluate the ethics and experiences in EHE, and determine how this impacts population health outcomes.

scholarly journals RAINWATER MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN CITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ZIGUINCHOR, SENEGAL

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-79
Author(s):  
Cheikh FAYE ◽  
◽  
Bouly SANÉ ◽  
Eddy Nilsone GOMIS ◽  
Sécou Omar DIÉDHIOU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Real Problem ◽  
Demographic Development ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
The Face ◽  
Rainwater Management ◽  
The City

Senegalese cities are experiencing very rapid growth in terms of both spatial and demographic development, which has an impact on the management of runoff water, which is increasingly a major concern of authorities and urban populations. In these cities, public sanitation infrastructure is insufficient and unevenly distributed in urban space. The objective of this study is to characterize the problem of rainwater management in the city of Ziguinchor (southern Senegal). The methodology is based on an administration, a questionnaire submitted to 288 heads of households, and an interview guide with 13 actors who stand out in the environmental management component at the local level. The results obtained attest to a real problem of sanitation of rainwater managed in precarious conditions due to the lack of infrastructure and water management methods used by households. The infrastructural problem is a factor in the poor management of rainwater in Ziguinchor, while rainwater drainage practices do not protect the living environment of the populations. In the city of Ziguinchor, the main strategies adopted in the face of the sanitation network deficit are based on backfilling, the laying of sandbags and stones, evacuation through buckets.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Modernist Approach through Buildings in Kayseri, Turkey

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-154
Author(s):  
Hikmet Eldek Güner
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Early Republic ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Republican Period ◽  
New Public ◽  
Modern Style ◽  
Early Republican ◽  
The City

Kayseri was an important commercial city throughout history, and with the declaration of the Republic, it continued its importance in different areas. The city has many original buildings from the Early Republican Period and was a model of modernisation set on a western ideology. Modernisation of the Republic was started with industrialisation. Consequently, Kayseri became an industrial city in the early 20th century. Investments (both economic and spatial) made by government were later continued by the private sector. Industrialisation was seen as the most important dynamic of development and key to modernisation. This situation resulted in the establishment of a new Kayseri around the industrial area and was viewed as an example for a modern Turkey. These industrial areas were constructed close to the boundary of the city centre. At the same time, the city centre was reconstructed according to modern city planning and the new style (modern style). The ceremonial ground (city square), an urban grid system, wide main transport routes, new public and municipal buildings, which were symbols of international style, were constructed by destroying the historic city centre in the Early Republic Period.The Republic was not only constructing new public buildings in a modern style; it was tried to build a new life with the modern residential areas. Instead of the traditional dwellings, modern houses were constructed to illustrate the new lifestyle together with new functional buildings such as modern education complexes, a community centre, stadium and train station were all constructed to show how to live the modern life.The city gained a new face with the changes starting from 1930. Today, many buildings, belonging to the Early Republican Period, are not being considered in the conservation of cultural heritage and are in danger. Industrial complexes, residential areas, public places are seen as a building stock destined to disappear and be replaced by new buildings. These earlier buildings hold important historical, social, economic and political values. Similarly, construction techniques and materials were also unique for that period.The aim of this study is to draw attention to the 20th century buildings in Kayseri constructed in the Early Republic Period, and classify these buildings under different headings (industry, housing, public space, educational space, open spaces) with the photographs, plans and history, thus defining their values and why they must be conserved. Republic was not only constructed new public buildings in modern style, it was tried to build a new life with the modern residential areas. Instead of the traditional dwellings, modern houses were constructed for point out of new life style and also new functioned buildings like as modern education complexes, community center, stadium, train station were constructed to show how to live in the modern life. The city has gained a new face with the changes starting from 1930. Today many buildings, belonging to the Early Republican Period, are not being considered in the conservation of cultural heritage and they are in danger. Industrial complexes, residential areas, public places are seen as a stock of a building and faced to disappear for constructed for the new buildings. They have very important values like as historical, social, economic and politic. Also construction techniques and materials were also unique for that period. The aim of this study is, to attract attention on 20th century buildings in Kayseri which are constructed in Early Republic Period, to classify these buildings in different headings (industry, housing, public space, educational space, open space …etc) with the photographs, plans and history. In general, meaning the main aim of this study is to define their values and explain why they must be conserved.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document