Equitable Urban Planning: Harnessing the Power of Comprehensive Plans

Abstract

Purpose of review: Describe the role of comprehensive plans in promoting health equity in urban communities. Specifically, the review aims to identify recent findings related to using comprehensive plans to shape social determinants of health and to discuss the challenges that comprehensive plans face in promoting health equity. The review also presents recommendations for how urban planners, public health practitioners, and policymakers can work together to promote health equity through comprehensive planning efforts.

Recent findings: The evidence highlights the importance of comprehensive plans in promoting health equity in communities. These plans can shape the social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation, and green space, which significantly impact health outcomes. However, comprehensive plans face challenges related to the lack of data and understanding of the social determinants of health and the need for collaboration between multiple sectors and community groups. To effectively promote health equity through comprehensive plans, a standardized framework that incorporates health equity considerations is needed. This framework should include common goals and objectives, guidance on assessing potential impacts, performance metrics, and community engagement strategies. Urban planners and local authorities play a critical role in developing clear guidelines for integrating health equity considerations into planning efforts. Harmonizing comprehensive plan requirements across the USA are also essential to ensure equitable access to opportunities for health and well-being.

Keywords: Comprehensive planning; Health equity; Social determinants of health; Urban health; Urban master plan.