How do superblock interventions influence health? A scoping review
Cash-Gibson, Lucinda (Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Departament de Ciències Polítiques i Socials)
Bretones Diaz, Alexandra (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Geografia)
Marquet Sardà, Oriol (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Benach, Joan (Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Departament de Ciències Polítiques i Socials)

Date:	2024
Abstract:	Cities are implementing interventions to radically transform public space and urban transportation networks. While these interventions are urgently needed, many questions remain regarding their impacts on health, and how they can be effectively replicated. In the case of Superblock interventions, it is assumed they have the potential to significantly improve urban environments and health. This study aims to identify the empirical evidence on Superblocks and their effects on health outcomes in different urban settings, in addition, to understand how these interventions are defined in the literature. We conducted a scoping review and identified extremely limited empirical evidence on the health effects, despite a range of literature emphasising the potential of Superblocks to improve health through various mechanisms. Increased access to green spaces within Superblocks is estimated to have significant health benefits, including reduced premature deaths, fewer hospital admissions, and improved mental health. Also, while Superblocks may increase physical activity levels, sustained increases may not be observed among all social groups. Further evaluations are needed to understand the full health effects of Superblocks in different urban settings.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación RYC2020-029441-I
Note:	Altres ajuts: ICREA Academia
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Active mobility ; Superblocks ; Urban green spaces ; Urban health ; Urban policy
Published in:	Cities, Vol. 153 (October 2024) , art. 105262, ISSN 0264-2751

DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2024.105262

10 p, 566.3 KB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles