Abstract
Urban policy and development are important mechanisms to reduce environmental degradation that could cause catastrophic damage to Earth’s systems. This chapter explains how the planetary health goals of zero carbon, resource efficiency (or circular economy) and biodiversity are related to health. Policy and design approaches for these goals are reviewed in detail. For example, zero carbon development is promoted by national and urban policies that create subsidies for zero carbon energy, reduce the need for transport-related energy use, provide anchor uses for decentralised energy systems or require a percentage of zero carbon energy supply from all new development. New development may use on-site renewable energy sources and reduce energy use through the design, location and orientation of buildings. Mobility infrastructure at all scales can support active travel for commuting and leisure, including walking, cycling and public transport and reducing the need for fossil fuel transport.
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Pineo, H. (2022). Planetary Health. In: Healthy Urbanism. Planning, Environment, Cities. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9647-3_4
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