Healthy Neighbourhoods Hub (HNH) Framework: A Practical Guide for Fostering Healthy and Inclusive Living in Florence’s Urban Environment

Alessia Macchi (), Daniele Busciantella-Ricci, Elisa Caruso and Nicoletta Setola ()
Additional contact information
Alessia Macchi: Inter-University Research Centre TESIS “System and Technologies for Social, Health and Education Structures”, Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, 50125 Florence, Italy
Daniele Busciantella-Ricci: Innovation in Design & Engineering (IDEE) Laboratory, Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, 50125 Florence, Italy
Elisa Caruso: Regional Design Laboratory, Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, 50125 Florence, Italy
Nicoletta Setola: Inter-University Research Centre TESIS “System and Technologies for Social, Health and Education Structures”, Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, 50125 Florence, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-34

Abstract: By 2050, an estimated 69% of the global population will reside in urban areas, underscoring the pivotal role of city neighbourhoods in enhancing quality of life by respecting and accommodating diverse identities and needs. The physical environment of neighbourhoods significantly influences community health and well-being, alongside social factors and access to health services. In Italy, prioritising health-promoting and accessible designs in neighbourhoods can form a solid foundation for urban health strategies. This study introduces a theoretical framework developed for the Healthy Neighbourhoods Hub (HNH) project in Florence, Italy, aiming to enhance health and accessibility across different scales. The HNH framework categorises healthy and inclusive neighbourhoods into 7 themes, 25 general characteristics, and 67 specific attributes, supported by verifiable variables derived from comprehensive research and design tools. This innovative framework addresses the need for multilevel, multidisciplinary approaches, and spatialization efforts to ensure equitable benefits for all community members.

Keywords: healthy cities; healthy neighbourhoods; inclusive neighbourhood; health promotion; urban health; physical environment; theoretical framework; practical tool; multiscalarity; multidisciplinarity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/11/4423/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/11/4423/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:11:p:4423-:d:1400351

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().