A Conceptual Modeling Approach to Health-Related Urban Well-Being

Abstract

Abstract:In cities, social well-being faces obstacles posed by globalization, demographic and climate change, new forms of social organization, and the fragmentation of lifestyles. These changes affect the vulnerability of city societies and impact their health-related urban well-being (UrbWellth). The conceptual model introduced in this paper systematizes the relevant variables while considering previous research, and establishes the target value UrbWellth. The model differs from existing approaches mainly in the analytical distinctions it suggests. These allow us to group the relevant urban influence variables into four sectors and enable a more general and abstract consideration of health-related urban relations. The introduction of vulnerability as a filter and transfer function acts as an effect modifier between UrbWellth and the various urban variables.

Relation between Observed and Perceived Traffic Noise and Socio-Economic Status in Urban Blocks of Different Characteristics

“…Therefore, we argue that the health effect of noise is not independent of the rating on subjective annoyance [83,97]. This raises the questions if habituation [21] (due to a long period of residence) or declining hearing capacity with increasing age could have a positive effect on noise annoyance and thus also on other health outcomes (such as hypertension). However, results of Riedel et al suggest that self-reported hearing disability enhanced noise annoyance [34].…”

“…Additionally, several questions were derived from the UrbWellth model [21]. The whole questionnaire was repeatedly pre-tested.…”

“…Within the survey areas, the full sample of households was invited to participate. The urban blocks were selected based on four different parameters, some of which are not related to noise but were covered in the questionnaire due to the larger project context: The first three parameters are variables in the model of UrbWellth [21], linking this analysis closely to considerations of public health. Due to limited spatial public data, the socio-economic status was calculated for "statistical units" (834 for Hamburg, mean no.…”

Is It Possible to Distinguish Global and Regional Climate Change from Urban Land Cover Induced Signals? A Mid-Latitude City Example

“…For this city, several research projects investigated the urban system with all its components leading to a conceptual model with a focus on urban health and wellbeing [4]. However, to quantitatively describe reactions of the urban system to external and internal changes in meteorological parameters and land cover, the signals from both origins need to be distinguished.…”

Modeling Exposure to Heat Stress with a Simple Urban Model

“…All of these environmental stressors have elevated levels compared to their rural surroundings [4][5][6]. However, there are several factors that affect the impact of such stressors on health discussed by von Szombathely et al [7] in their conceptual model for health-related urban well-being (UrbWellth). For instance, environmental stressors can only lead to a higher mortality or morbidity if urban dwellers are exposed to them (e.g., being outside).…”