Anita Patil - Urban Design & Health of the City

Cicloruta, BogataPrevalence of under andover-weight amongwomen aged 20-49 yearsin urban areas in selectdeveloping countriesSource: AmericanJournal of ClinicalNutrition 81: 714 –21,American Society forNutrition, with permissionlongest bicycle network in the world,stretching 340 KM of bicycle only lanes.This has increased the physical activity forthe rich, the connectivity for the poor anddecreased of GHG emission of 36.6 tonesof Co2 in Bogata. ( www.c40cities.org/bestpractices/transport/bogata_bus.jsp) 265. Food Security:The large participation ofwomen in the labour force combinedwith pervasive globalization has led todramatic alterations of food habits acrossthe globe. In many parts of the world thetraditional diets of grains, pulses, fruits& vegetables have given way to meatintensive diets combined with excessof processed food. In US the availabilityof instant foods are easily available inpoorer neighbourhoods where coke andhamburgers are cheaper than waterand salads. This nutritional transitioncoupled with urban planning that is builtaround the automobile industry whichdiscourages physical activity has led tothe epidemic of obesity and diabeteswith approximately 2 Billion peoplewho are either obese or overweight.Physical activity is stronglyinfluenced by the design of the citiesthrough the density of the residences,mix of the land uses, the degree to whichthe streets are connected, the abilityto walk from place to place and theprovision of and access to local publicfacilities and space for recreation andplay. (Report of Commission on SocialDeterminants of Health, WHO, 2008) 27There has been no specificattention paid to the walkability partin the context of urban planning inIndia. A study commissioned by theministry of Urban Development inIndia assessed footpaths and overallinfrastructure and including pedestrian’srating of the facility. The nationalaverage walkability index was 0.52.By comparison largeinternational cities like Londonscore 1.5 to 1.7. Even though mostIndians walk, absence of footpathsand constant negotiation withtraffic makes walking a hazardousexperience in major cities in India.It is important that urbanplanning gives priority to walkingpathways, bicycling pathways and createdaffordable and easily accessible masstransport infrastructures in every city.Planning that focuses on open spaces,parks for recreations and playgroudsconstitute a major contribution towardsencouraging physical activities. All thethe above mentioned planning startegiescontribute towards making a city healthy.Access to Natural EnvironmentThe natural environment inwhich people live and interact havelarge impact on both physical andmental health. This is where soundurban planning can play a large part.Environmental pollutions, includingwater, air, noise pollution has increasedconsiderably due to rapid industrializationand automobile dependent life styles,increased need for energy anddependence on many chemical orientedproducts used in our daily lives. Somerelationships between these factors andhealth are well studied. Noxious factoryfumes and motor vehicles exhaustcausing increased asthma and upperrespiratory infections. Polluted drinkingwater causes gastrointestinal diseasesand heavy metal poisoning. Staying inolder home with lead paint has causedsevere lead poisoning in young childrenin US. As per WHO (2010) indoor andoutdoor pollution is a major healthproblem and is estimated to causeapproximately two million prematuredeaths worldwide per year with most ofthe burden of diseases being in LMIC. 28In Kaula Bandar a small roomof 100 square feet without ventilationhosts 10-15 people at a time who workwith chemicals, (Tannery & Leatherbelt making) weaving, (carpets, zariembroidery),tailoring etc. There is largeamount of suspended air particles,cotton fibers, threads, other fumes, inthese congested spaces. This may leadto increased incidence of respiratoryelements, asthma, allergic cough, otherchronic lung diseases, Tuberculosisand other air-born infections (personalobservation). There are handfulsof studies coming out of India andWalkability index,select Indian citiesSource: (WWF 2008)130 / 05 health05 / 131