Program Name
Urban Health and Wellbeing
Program Synopsis
This research program recognises the significant challenges for urban health and wellbeing posed by various social, environmental, technological, and economic factors; challenges exacerbated by their multifaceted nature and interconnectedness. In addition to understanding the detrimental impact of these factors, the program also acknowledges and seeks to explore the unique potential of urban environments and systems to enhance health and wellbeing. Central to this will be research that involves multiple sectors and the built environment disciplines of urban and regional planning, building and construction, architecture and design, and project management in collaboration with other disciplines such as engineering, health, science, information technology, social science, to mention but a few. Examples of research themes relevant to the program include:
- Specific areas of urban health and wellbeing such as urban mental health; disability, physical access, and social inclusion; physical health and urban mobility; homelessness and affordable healthy housing
- Aspects of the urban environment such as buildings, transportation, communication systems, outdoor space including green space, and their relationship with health and wellbeing
- Reconceptualisation of health in relation to wellbeing in the context of the urban environment
- Theorisation and conceptual modelling to inform integrated urban design, planning, and governance
- Salutogenic design and the health promoting potential of urban environments and systems
- Urban responses to specific processes and events such as climate change, natural disasters, pandemics
- The role of the urban environment in minimising crime, improving public safety, and addressing social inequality
- Urban informatics and health
Program Lead
- Professor Jill Franz
Research Team
- Prof Jill Franz
- Prof Tan Yigitcanlar
- A/Prof Bo Xia
- A/Prof Mirko Guaralda
- Dr Tracy Washington
- Dr Carol Hon
