A University of Bristol-led project is calling for developers and asset managers to aid a research project examining how to make healthier cities through design
The programme, Tackling the Root causes Upstream of Unhealthy Urban Development (TRUUD), is looking for people with a strong understanding of the land and development industries to take part in interviews to improve knowledge of how urban developers think about health when planning projects.
The insight will help the research team build interventions that challenge and influence corporate mindsets towards healthier outcomes.
The research aims to boost the health benefits of urban planning
TRUUD, a transdisciplinary research programme involving more than forty researchers across six universities, aims to reduce non-communicable disease (such as cancers, diabetes, obesity, mental ill-health and respiratory illness) and health inequalities linked to the quality of urban planning and development.
Looking at the way land and development industries view health in their practice is led by Dr Krista Bondy at the University of Stirling. She said:
“Improving the health of urban communities is a very complex issue. We know from our initial research with 132 professionals from across the urban development system in the UK that dominant ways of thinking are a barrier to achieving this.
“This next phase of our research takes a more in-depth look at the way urban development professionals think and are influenced about health considerations to help us build meaningful tools for the industry.”
Anyone with insight on creating healthier cities is encouraged to get in touch
The interviews will be conducted by an academic during an hour-long video call by mid-February 2024. Anyone interested in taking part can contact Sophie Turnbull at the University of Bristol by email.
There is also an opportunity for participants to become advisors to the research programme; for more information contact Sophie Turnbull.
