Towards health-focused urban mobility planning: A planning practice analysis
Authors
Stöckel, Jonas ; Lindloge, Pia Ingeburg
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-07
Pages
95
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan offentlig sundhed kan integreres bedre i mobilitetsplanlægning i byer ved at sammenligne to praksisser: Healthy Streets-tilgangen og Cycle Superhighway Collaboration i Storkøbenhavn, som anvender samfundsøkonomisk analyse. Studiet forklarer, hvorfor mobilitet er vigtig for sundhed, med fokus på stillesiddende livsstil, luftforurening og hvordan gader og transportsystemer er indrettet. Et litteraturreview viser et skifte fra bilcentreret politik til mere helhedsorienterede modeller, der ser på de mange måder, transport påvirker sundhed. Analysen bygger på praksisteori, som undersøger hverdagens rutiner og samspillet mellem materialer, kompetencer og betydninger i planlægning. Metoderne omfatter eksplorative, semistrukturerede interviews med centrale aktører, brug af Healthy Streets Check for Designers (et værktøj, der vurderer gader efter sundhedsindikatorer) og kvalitativ kodning i NVivo-software. Healthy Streets-tilgangen lægger vægt på menneskelige sundhedsindikatorer i gadeudformning for at fremme renere luft, inkluderende miljøer og let mobilitet. Cycle Superhighway Collaboration kvantificerer sundhedseffekter af cykelinfrastruktur via samfundsøkonomisk analyse og estimerer gevinster som færre sygedage, lavere luftforurening og høje afkast for samfundet. Fundene viser, at Healthy Streets egner sig godt til tidlig planlægning og borgerinddragelse, mens samfundsøkonomisk analyse hjælper med at begrunde sundhedsfokuserede mobilitetsprojekter økonomisk. Specialet konkluderer, at en kombination af de to tilgange kan danne en samlet, sundhedsorienteret planlægningspraksis, der adresserer både lokale behov og bredere systemiske effekter, og som flugter med WHO Europas Essential Public Health Operations og de bæredygtige udviklingsmål. Ved at udnytte styrkerne i begge kan planlæggere skabe mere helhedsorienteret, inkluderende og bæredygtig mobilitet, der forbedrer folkesundhed og bylivskvalitet.
This thesis examines how to better include public health in urban mobility planning by comparing two practices: the Healthy Streets approach and the Cycle Superhighway Collaboration in Greater Copenhagen, which uses socio-economic analysis. The study explains why mobility matters for health, highlighting sedentary lifestyles, air pollution, and how streets and transport systems are built. A review of past policies shows a shift from car-first thinking to more holistic models that consider the many ways transport affects health. The analysis is guided by practice theory, an approach that looks at everyday routines and how materials, skills, and meanings work together in planning. Methods include exploratory, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, use of the Healthy Streets Check for Designers (a tool that assesses street design against health indicators), and qualitative coding in NVivo software. The Healthy Streets approach focuses on human health indicators in street design to encourage cleaner air, inclusive spaces, and easy movement. The Cycle Superhighway Collaboration quantifies health effects of cycling infrastructure through socio-economic analysis, estimating benefits such as fewer sick days, lower air pollution, and strong returns for society. Findings show that Healthy Streets is well suited to early-stage planning and community engagement, while socio-economic analysis helps provide economic justification for health-focused mobility projects. The thesis concludes that combining both approaches can create a comprehensive, health-focused planning practice that addresses local needs and wider systemic impacts, and aligns with WHO Europe’s Essential Public Health Operations and the Sustainable Development Goals. Using the strengths of both can help planners build more holistic, inclusive, and sustainable mobility that improves public health and urban liveability.
[This summary has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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