Melanie Lowe1, Paula Hooper2, Helen Jordan3, Kathryn Bowen4, Iain Butterworth5, Billie Giles-Corti5. 1. School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Locked Bag 4115, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia. melanie.lowe@acu.edu.au. 2. Australian Urban Design Research Centre, School of Design, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. 3. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, Potsdam, Germany. 5. Healthy Liveable Cities Group, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: A compelling body of research demonstrates associations between urban design and health, but this research is often not reflected in urban policies. This article reviews the literature on the science and practice of translating health research into urban policy and planning. Two Australian case studies demonstrate how policy frameworks can help guide evidence-based planning for healthy urban environments. RECENT FINDINGS: To influence city planning, health researchers need to undertake policy-relevant research and understand policymaking processes. Policy frameworks can assist researchers to tailor research evidence and research translation strategies to the political and policymaking context. Strong links between urban policymakers and health researchers can help bridge the knowledge-policy divide. Policy frameworks can help researchers to identify and capitalise on windows of opportunity for evidence-based policy change. Doing so increases the likelihood of public health evidence informing urban policies that will create healthy liveable cities.
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: A compelling body of research demonstrates associations between urban design and health, but this research is often not reflected in urban policies. This article reviews the literature on the science and practice of translating health research into urban policy and planning. Two Australian case studies demonstrate how policy frameworks can help guide evidence-based planning for healthy urban environments. RECENT FINDINGS: To influence city planning, health researchers need to undertake policy-relevant research and understand policymaking processes. Policy frameworks can assist researchers to tailor research evidence and research translation strategies to the political and policymaking context. Strong links between urban policymakers and health researchers can help bridge the knowledge-policy divide. Policy frameworks can help researchers to identify and capitalise on windows of opportunity for evidence-based policy change. Doing so increases the likelihood of public health evidence informing urban policies that will create healthy liveable cities.
Keywords:
Built environments; City planning; Evidence-informed policy; Healthy cities; Policy frameworks; Research translation
Authors: Jaime Benavides; Sebastian T Rowland; Jenni A Shearston; Yanelli Nunez; Darby W Jack; Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou Journal: Curr Environ Health Rep Date: 2022-04-07