Ways in which the City Harms Our Health and Solutions to Stop it from Doing so

sound-reducing 
pavement on the roads
, 
limiting traffic volume
, 
decreasing speed limits
or 
promoting 
silent zones
such as green spaces.
3. Physical activity > Increase active transport

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The lack of physical activity is 
the fourth risk factor for global mortality
and may 
account for up to one in four cases of breast and colon cancers.
 Active transport – walking or cycling – 
on a daily basis is the most practical and 
sustainable way to increase physical activity. A good public transport system 
promotes walking and reduces the use of private vehicles. In addition, green spaces 
are important for promoting safe physical activity.
4. Temperature > Reduce infrastructures for cars and increase green spaces 
Temperatures in the cities tend to be higher, and at night can reach up to 10 degrees 
more than in the surroundings. This is known as the 
“heat island” effect
.
Heat islands and high temperatures 
increase mortality
, particularly that related to 
cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
This is why urban planning needs to incorporate priority measures to prevent such 
increases in temperature. These include improving building insulation to reduce the 
need for air conditioning, changing urban materials so that they absorb less solar 
radiation, etc.
5. Natural spaces > Increase urban access to nature 
The city of the future must be green. Scientific studies associate green spaces – 
urban parks, gardens, tree-lined streets or forests- with numerous health benefits, 
such as stress reduction, longer lives, and improved general well-being and mental 
health.
Nature must form part of the city
. Beyond scattered locations, natural spaces must 
form a network across the entire urban area and benefit all citizens. 
With a better urban and transport planning, cities could prevent up to 20% of 
premature deaths every year.