Health consideration in UK urban development
Systems mapping insights for interventions
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6418870 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Pablo Newberry (0000-0002-6229-9445, University of Bristol, corresponding author), Neil Carhart (0000-0003-4503-7141, University of Bristol) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 168 |
| Pages | 106403-106403 |
| Publication date | 2025-09-05 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Cities (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0264-2751 • E-ISSN: 1873-6084 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.cities.2025.106403 |
| OpenAlex | W4414006011 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 50 |
This article maps and explores the system influencing the consideration of health in UK urban development decision-making based on interviews with 132 decision-makers in public, private and third sector roles. It implements a novel approach to construct and aggregate multiple causal loop diagrams to synthesise the perspectives of different stakeholder groups in a single model. It illustrates how seven interventions targeting different parts of the system can influence feedback loops to drive change. Focusing on sub-models, the findings suggest that intervening to (1) change mindsets and (2) influence real estate investment practices of the private sector can shape pro-health attitudes, pro-health funding, and health-informed decisions, and (3) embedding a health valuation tool in national government can generate political support for health in policies, joined-up thinking and collective responsibility for health. Utilising health data in (4) transport strategies and (5) spatial planning, as well as (6) providing legal training, and (7) integrating lived experience in community engagement at a local and city-region level can enhance quantitative and qualitative health data in policies and decision-making while providing the capacity to legally defend those decisions. Overall, the causal loop diagram indicates that the interventions can reinforce the consideration of health in urban development decision-making without many factors resisting change. However, if health measures in urban development are perceived to limit profits rather than realise environmental, social and governance (ESG) value, then this acts as a balancing mechanism. The model can inform a systems-level evaluation by indicating the ripple effects and cumulative impact of interventions.
Business · Environmental planning · Geography · Psychological intervention · Regional science · Community Health and Development · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Nursing · Urban Transport and Accessibility
Emergence as a Construct
The application of systems thinking in health
The need for a complex systems model of evidence for public health
Developing and testing an environmental economics approach to the valuation and application of urban health externalities
Integrating health into the complex urban planning policy and decision-making context
Compound environmental impact of urban mitigation strategies
Building a Prevention System
Social determinants of health inequalities
Development and optimisation of an intervention to increase the intention to act on health and health equity within the private sector of urban development
Harnessing the power of the law’
Healthier Cities through Systems Thinking
Wanted
Urban policies and the creation of healthy urban environments
What is “good” co-production in the context of planetary health research, and how is it enabled
Defining and advancing a systems approach for sustainable cities
Building a system-based Theory of Change using Participatory Systems Mapping
Participatory systems mapping for complex energy policy evaluation
Understanding how to create healthier places
Overcoming Systemic Barriers Preventing Healthy Urban Development in the UK
Participatory Systems Mapping for Municipal Prioritization and Planning
Bringing Sectors Together in Da Nang, Vietnam
Systems Thinking and Modeling for Public Health Practice
How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times
Dynamics of intervention adoption, implementation, and maintenance inside organizations
Walking the talk on multi-level interventions
Balancing Autonomy and Collaboration in Large-Scale and Disciplinary Diverse Teams for Successful Qualitative Research
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |