High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development
High-density communities have proliferated globally during rapid urbanization. They are characterized by a high population density and limited per capita public spaces, making them susceptible to infectious disease risks. The impact of infectious diseases in these communities, as evident during the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/1/103 |
| _version_ | 1797340040839299072 |
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| author | Yue Hu Ziyi Lin Sheng Jiao Rongpeng Zhang |
| author_facet | Yue Hu Ziyi Lin Sheng Jiao Rongpeng Zhang |
| author_sort | Yue Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | High-density communities have proliferated globally during rapid urbanization. They are characterized by a high population density and limited per capita public spaces, making them susceptible to infectious disease risks. The impact of infectious diseases in these communities, as evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores their vulnerabilities. Yet, research on disease prevention in high-density areas remains limited. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the built environment and the transmission of infectious diseases in high-density urban communities, with a particular focus on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing Shenzhen city as a case study, this study collected data on the built environment and epidemic trends and involved a generalized linear regression analysis, aiming to understand the key built environment factors that affect epidemic spread in high-density areas. The results from the study revealed that high-density communities experience higher rates of infectious disease transmission compared to their medium- to low-density counterparts. The significant factors identified include land use mixture and walkability, with land use mixture showing the most substantial impact on infection rates. Through a combination of qualitative analysis and empirical research, we constructed a conceptual framework linking containment measures, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and the built environment. The findings emphasize the significance to focus on the health development of high-density communities and offer valuable insights for tailored urban planning and built environment design. These insights are crucial for promoting the healthy and sustainable transformation of existing high-density communities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:57:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c3460add97f944feafdb0fe287a8a754 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T09:57:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-c3460add97f944feafdb0fe287a8a7542024-01-29T13:48:40ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092023-12-0114110310.3390/buildings14010103High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health DevelopmentYue Hu0Ziyi Lin1Sheng Jiao2Rongpeng Zhang3School of Architecture and Planning, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Planning, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Planning, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Planning, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, ChinaHigh-density communities have proliferated globally during rapid urbanization. They are characterized by a high population density and limited per capita public spaces, making them susceptible to infectious disease risks. The impact of infectious diseases in these communities, as evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores their vulnerabilities. Yet, research on disease prevention in high-density areas remains limited. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the built environment and the transmission of infectious diseases in high-density urban communities, with a particular focus on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing Shenzhen city as a case study, this study collected data on the built environment and epidemic trends and involved a generalized linear regression analysis, aiming to understand the key built environment factors that affect epidemic spread in high-density areas. The results from the study revealed that high-density communities experience higher rates of infectious disease transmission compared to their medium- to low-density counterparts. The significant factors identified include land use mixture and walkability, with land use mixture showing the most substantial impact on infection rates. Through a combination of qualitative analysis and empirical research, we constructed a conceptual framework linking containment measures, non-pharmaceutical interventions, and the built environment. The findings emphasize the significance to focus on the health development of high-density communities and offer valuable insights for tailored urban planning and built environment design. These insights are crucial for promoting the healthy and sustainable transformation of existing high-density communities.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/1/103built environmenthigh-density communityepidemic infectionhealthysustainable |
| spellingShingle | Yue Hu Ziyi Lin Sheng Jiao Rongpeng Zhang High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development Buildings built environment high-density community epidemic infection healthy sustainable |
| title | High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development |
| title_full | High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development |
| title_fullStr | High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development |
| title_full_unstemmed | High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development |
| title_short | High-Density Communities and Infectious Disease Vulnerability: A Built Environment Perspective for Sustainable Health Development |
| title_sort | high density communities and infectious disease vulnerability a built environment perspective for sustainable health development |
| topic | built environment high-density community epidemic infection healthy sustainable |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/1/103 |
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