Bridging health and urban climate policies: a framework for equitable and resilient cities

Source abstract

Urban health remains a critical yet often neglected component in urban planning and climate resilience strategies. Existing research highlights the fragmented integration of health considerations in planning policies, often limiting them to sector-specific interventions rather than a holistic, structured approach. This study contributes to ongoing efforts by developing a health-integrated urban planning framework for cities in Maharashtra, India. By analyzing governance structures, data availability, legal frameworks, and urban planning methodologies, the research proposes a region-specific Three-Pillar Framework, comprising 54 indicators under Urban Fabric, Environment, and Governance. This framework was applied to Latur district to analyze health disparities, environmental determinants, and governance capacity. The findings reveal significant intra-district inequalities, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Spatial mapping further enhances the applicability of the results by visually representing health vulnerabilities, ensuring seamless integration into master plans, zonal development plans, and climate adaptation policies. This research bridges the gap between health, urban planning, and climate resilience by providing an evidence-based, adaptable framework. By embedding health as a core element of urban planning, this study contributes to building healthier and more resilient cities.