New research published by The Lancet Global Health in a series on Urban Design, Transport, and Health aims to inform policy directions and planning to create healthier, more sustainable cities worldwide.

This new research is the second part of a three-part research project being undertaken by the Lancet commission to benchmark and monitor 25 cities across 19 countries within the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework.

Each city is scored on policy settings, urban design and transport according to predefined metrics that align with the UN’s goals and a report is produced with detailed findings. Auckland is one of the 25 cities that is partaking in the study with findings published in May of this year.

Erica Hinckson, Professor of Physical Activity and the Environment at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and contributing author of the study, says the availability and quality of urban planning and transport policies supporting health and sustainability in Auckland is “below average” compared to other cities in the international study.

“Our research shows that Tāmaki Makaurau does not appear to have urban planning and transport policies incorporating health-focused actions and air pollution management, or housing density and street connectivity standards,” says Hinckson.

Using spatial indicators, such as population density, street connectivity and proximity to public transport and food, researchers assessed the health-supporting nature and sustainability of each city and pinpointed inequities in access. Together they were able to identify thresholds for urban design and transport that would increase light exercise (such as walking/cycling) and promote health.

Although most cities had aspirations to be healthy and sustainable, many lacked the measurable targets to achieve these aspirations.

Findings of Auckland University of Technology’s (AUT) first Healthy and Sustainable City Indicators Report for Tāmaki Makaurau:

• Relative to the other 24 cities in the study, the report showed that the majority of neighbourhoods in Auckland have low walkability.
• Only one in five neighbourhoods meet density and street connectivity thresholds to achieve World Health Organisation targets to increase physical activity.
• Most Auckland residents have some public open space within 500 metres, although this drops to two-thirds having access to larger public open spaces.
• Compared to other cities, the percentage of the population with access to a food market or public transport within 500 metres is slightly below average. Only 56 percent of Auckland residents have access to public transport stops with regular services.

“These new indicators can provide policy direction for cities looking to reimagine themselves after the COVID-19 pandemic… Healthy and sustainable cities have never been more important or urgent. COVID-19 has highlighted the vulnerability of our cities, and climate change risk is increasingly self-evident. The need for policy reform is critical and this research shows what is needed,” says Hinckson.

The authors of the study are now calling for a 1000 Cities Challenge to activate a global citizen science programme, where the general public and scientists can collaborate on the collection and analysis of data that could be used by global agencies to assess progress in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.

^{To view the full report go to www.healthysustainablecities.org}