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P8717  Urban Space and Health

Explores the interrelationship of space and health, particularly in cities. Begins with the thesis, proposed by Jane Jacobs and others, that the system of the city is an engine for economic development, creativity, and civilization. The strength of the engine is a test of the composition of the city, and alterations in the composition of the city can augment its ability to serve as an engine. Hence, people have tinkered with cities from the beginning of time. Sometimes people change cities in ways that make them healthier for their residents—sometimes they make things worse. This process of city change/health change is the explicit focus of this course (1) to ensure that public health practitioners are aware of the changes in the city being made by others, so they can weigh in on potential health effects and (2) to give students of public health some ideas of the ways in which they might themselves tinker with cities to make them more supportive of residents' health.

3 points