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. 2022 Jul:76:102827.
doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102827. Epub 2022 May 20.

Compact cities and the Covid-19 pandemic: Systematic review of the associations between transmission of Covid-19 or other respiratory viruses and population density or other features of neighbourhood design

Xiaomeng Zhang  1 , Ziwen Sun  2 , Thulani Ashcroft  3 , Marshall Dozier  4 , Kayla Ostrishko  3 , Prerna Krishan  3 , Emilie McSwiggan  3 , Markéta Keller  3 , Margaret Douglas  3
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Compact cities and the Covid-19 pandemic: Systematic review of the associations between transmission of Covid-19 or other respiratory viruses and population density or other features of neighbourhood design

Xiaomeng Zhang et al. Health Place. 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Living in compact neighbourhoods that are walkable, well connected, with accessible green space can benefit physical and mental health. However, the pandemic raises concern up to what extent features of compact neighbourhood design affect transmission of viral respiratory infections. We conducted a systematic review to identify, appraise and synthesise evidence reporting associations between transmission of respiratory viruses, including Covid-19, and dwelling or population density or other features of neighbourhood design. Twenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria. These studies used different measures of neighbourhood design, contributing to inconsistent findings. Whereas no convincing conclusion can be drawn here, the outcome of this review indicates that robust, global evidence is warranted to inform future policies and legislation concerned with compact neighbourhood design and transmission of respiratory and viral infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Compact neighbourhoods; Population density; Respiratory infectious diseases; Urban design.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flow diagram of study selection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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