Using Conceptual Models to Shape Healthy Sustainable Cities

Abstract

In the context of relentless global urbanisation, and with most of the world’s population already living in cities, the urban environment retains its historic status as a key arena for public health policy and action. The concept of Ecological Public Health emphasises the interconnections between humans and the natural world and the reality that health, wellbeing, equity and indeed humanity’s survival rely on natural systems and processes. This chapter discusses conceptual models to support policy and action in environmental health but, especially, to deliver ecological public health in the urban context. One ‘family’ of conceptual models, the DPSEEA model and its derivatives, is particularly suited to this role as it offers an integrated and policy-relevant conceptualisation of the relationship between human activity, the physical environment, and health. The chapter illustrates a number of conceptual models and emphasises their utility as tools with which to think, communicate and deliver when addressing public health and societal challenges of unprecedented complexity. Only by developing and applying the correct tools can we confront the challenges of the urban context and design policies that create a healthier, more sustainable and more equal world.