Architecture and public health: from harmful designs to healthy built environments

Over half of the world’s population lives in urban areas1; the United Nations projects this to increase to nearly two thirds by 2050,1 but many urban environments fail to support or actively harm public health.23456 The effects of the built environment on public health and wellbeing may be more substantial than previously understood.7 Those responsible for our built environment—architects, real estate developers, and public authorities—must collaborate and consider health more closely.