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Table 2 Built and natural environment planning principles and modifiable features associated with improved health-related outcomes

From: Built and natural environment planning principles for promoting health: an umbrella review

Neighbourhood Design

 Enhance neighbourhood walkability

  Increase walkability

Increased social engagement

S9 (2); S15 (N/R); S16 (1–2)

Increased mobility

S9 (2); S15 (N/R); S16 (1–2)

Increased physical activity

S1 (2); S2 (3); S3 (1–2); S4 (2); S5 (2–3); S6 (N/R); S7 (2); S8 (2); S9 (2); S10 (N/R); S11 (N/R); S12 (N/R); S13 (1); S14 (N/R); S15 (N/R)

  Improve infrastructure to support walking and cycling

Increased physical activity

S1 (2); S2 (3); S3 (1–2); S4 (2); S5 (2–3); S6 (N/R); S7 (2); S8 (2); S9 (2); S10 (N/R); S11 (N/R); S12 (N/R); S13 (1); S14 (N/R); S15 (N/R)

Increased mobility among older adults

S9 (2); S15 (N/R); S16 (1–2)

Improved weight status

S17 (N/R); S18 (N/R); S19 (2)

 Build complete and compact neighbourhoods

  Compact neighbourhoods

Increased physical activity

S4 (2); S9 (2); S14 (N/R); S21 (1–2); S23 (2)

  Increase access to facilities and amenities

Increased mobility among older adults

S4 (2); S9 (2); S14 (N/R); S21 (1–2); S23 (2)

Increased social participation among older adults

S27 (N/R)

Improved mental health

S24 (1–2); S25 (1–2); S26 (2–3)

 Enhance connectivity with safe and efficient infrastructure

  Improved street connectivity

Increased physical activity

S1 (2); S2 (3); S3 (1–2); S4 (2); S5 (2–3); S6 (N/R); S7 (2); S8 (2); S9 (2); S10 (N/R); S11 (N/R); S12 (N/R); S13 (1); S14 (N/R); S15 (N/R)

  Provision of public realm improvements (e.g. provision of street lighting)

Increased physical activity

S6 (N/R); S9 (2); S14 (N/R); S112 (1–2)

Reduced fear of crime

S28 (1)

Reduced road traffic collisions

S29 (1); S112 (1–2); S113 (2–3)

Housing

 Improve quality of housing

  Increase energy efficient homes

Improved general and mental health outcomes (including for those from low-income groups)

S15 (N/R); S25 (1–2); S32 (2); S33 (N/R); S35 (2–3); S36 (2); S42 (N/R)

Reduced mortality

S31 (1–2)

  Remove home hazards

Improved social outcomes among older adults

S39 (2); S40 (2); S42 (N/R)

Reduced fall-related injuries among older adults

S39 (2); S40 (2)

Reduced unintentional injury

S41 (1–2); S42 (N/R)

  Home refurbishment/retrofit

Improved general health

S25 (1–2); S32 (2); S33 (N/R); S34 (N/R); S36 (2)

Reduced fear of crime

S28 (1)

 Increase provision of affordable and diverse housing

  Provision of diverse housing

Increased physical activity

S21 (1–2)

  Provision of mixed-use, affordable housing

Increased perceptions of safety among low-income groups

S39 (2)

  Provision of affordable rental housing

Improved mental health among adolescents and adults

S25 (1–2); S32 (2)

Increase provision of affordable housing for groups with specific needs

  Provision of affordable housing for vulnerable groups

Improved social outcomes

S48 (1)

Improved behavioural outcomes

S45 (2); S51 (2)

Improved health-related outcomes

S48 (1); S50 (N/R)

Reduced in substance misuse or co-occurring mental disorders

S45 (2); S51 (2)

Improve psychiatric health outcomes

S45 (2); S51 (2)

Increased quality of life

S45 (2); S51 (2)

  Provision of affordable housing for groups living with chronic conditions

Increased engagement with HIV/AIDS services

S43 (2–3); S45 (2); S47 (2)

Reduced engagement in risky sexual behaviours among those with HIV/AIDS

S43 (2–3); S45 (2); S47 (2)

Improved HIV/AIDS outcomes

S43 (2–3)

  Provision of affordable housing for the homeless

Increased engagement with healthcare services

S46 (2); S49 (N/R)

Increased quality of life

S46 (2); S49 (N/R)

Increased employment

S44 (1)

Improved mental health

S46 (2); S49 (N/R)

Healthier Food Environment

 Increase provision of healthier, affordable food

  Increase access to healthier food

Reduced dietary fat intake

S52 (N/R)

Improved dietary behaviour

S52 (N/R); S53 (1–2); S54 (1); S55 (2); S56 (2–3); S57 (2); S58 (N/R)

Increased fruit and vegetable intake

S39 (2); S52 (N/R)

Improved attitudes towards fruit and vegetables

S39 (2); S52 (N/R)

Improved weight status

S61 (N/R); S62 (2); S63 (1)

Healthier food purchasing

S59 (N/R); S60 (2)

 Enhance community food infrastructure

  Increase urban food growing

Improved attitudes towards healthier eating

S64 (N/R)

Increased opportunities for fruit and vegetable consumption

S9 (2); S64 (N/R)

Increased opportunities for social connectivity

S9 (2); S64 (N/R)

Increased opportunities for physical activity

S9 (2); S64 (N/R)

Natural and Sustainable Environment

 Reduce exposure to environmental hazards

  Improve air quality

Increased physical activity among older adults

S24 (1–2)

  Reduce exposure to air pollution

Reduced risk of chronic conditions

S70 (2); S71 (N/R); S72 (2); S73 (N/R); S74 (1–2); S75 (1–2); S76 (N/R); S77 (N/R); S78 (N/R); S79 (N/R); S80 (2); S81 (N/R); S82 (N/R); S83 (N/R); S84 (2–3); S85 (N/R); S86 (N/R); S87 (N/R); S88 (2–3); S89 (N/R); S90 (N/R); S91 (N/R); S92 (2–3); S93 (1–2); S94 (N/R)

Improved birth outcomes

S15 (N/R); S95 (N/R); S96 (2); S97 (N/R); S98 (N/R); S99 (N/R)

Reduced infant mortality

S98 (N/R)

Improved cognitive function

S100 (N/R)

  Reduce exposure to excessive noise

Improved mental health outcomes

S15 (N/R); S24 (1–2); S25 (1–2)

Reduced risk of ischemic heart disease

S101 (N/R)

  Reduce impact of flooding

Reduced risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

S102 (N/R)

Improved mental and physical health outcomes

S103 (N/R); S104 (N/R); S105 (N/R)

 Increase access to, and engagement with, the natural environment

  Increase access and engagement opportunities

Increased physical activity

S9 (2); S21 (N/R); S111 (N/R); S107 (1); S117 (N/R)

Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease

S24 (1–2); S26 (2–3)

Increased motivation to engage in physical activity

S108 (1); S117 (N/R)

Reduced obesity among adolescents

S18 (N/R); S111 (N/R)

Improved mental health outcomes

S24 (1–2); S26 (2–3); S109 (2)

  Aesthetic park improvements

Increased first-time park users

S9 (2); S107 (1)

Increased physical activity

S9 (2); S18 (N/R); S107 (1); S111 (N/R)

 Adaptation to climate change

  Prioritisation of neighbourhood tree planting

Improved health outcomes

S110 (2)

Transport

 Provision of active travel infrastructure

  Increase infrastructure for walking and cycling

Increased physical activity

S1 (2); S2 (3); S3 (1–2); S4 (2); S5 (2–3); S6 (N/R); S7 (2); S8 (2); S9 (2); S10 (N/R); S11 (N/R); S12 (N/R); S13 (1); S14 (N/R); S15 (N/R)

Increased mobility among

S9 (2); S15 (N/R); S16 (1–2)

Improved weight status

S17 (N/R); S18 (N/R); S19 (2)

 Enhance connectivity with safe and efficient infrastructure

  Provision of traffic calming measures

Increased physical activity

S6 (N/R); S9 (2); S112 (1–2); S14 (N/R)

Reduced risk of pedestrian injury

S29 (1); S112 (1–2); S113 (2–3)

Reduced risk of road traffic collision

S29 (1); S112 (1–2); S113 (2–3); S114 (2); S115 (N/R); S116 (1–2)

Increased pedestrian activity

S112 (1–2)

  Provision of public realm improvements (e.g. provision of street lighting)

Increased physical activity

S6 (N/R); S9 (2); S14 (N/R); S24 (1–2); S112 (1–2)

Reduced fear of crime

S28 (1)

Reduced road traffic collisions

S29 (1); S112 (1–2); S113 (2–3)

 Prioritise public transport

  Promote public transport use

Increased physical activity

S111 (N/R)

Improved cardiovascular outcomes

S19 (2)

Reduced fear of social isolation

S15 (N/R)

Improved mental health

S15 (N/R)

 Enable mobility for all ages and activities

  Increase access to recreational space

Improved pedestrian safety among adolescents

S112 (1–2)

Improved mental health

S25 (1–2); S26 (2–3)

  1. Note. S1–117 = Review-level evidence included in this review. See Additional files 1, 2 and 3 for full reference list. () = Quality of original empirical studies included within review-level evidence, as assigned by review authors. 1 = Low quality, 2 = Moderate quality, 3 = High quality, N/R = Not reported by authors of review