A co-curricular program at a Philadelphia medical school integrates public health and city planning.

The links between health and urban design have been studied since modern cities began to rise, and contemporary research has continued to chart the impacts of noise pollution, air quality, access to nature, and proximity to highways or major streets on physical and mental health. But only since 2015 has there been a university program combining medical practice, public health, and city planning to take a holistic view toward wellbeing in cities.
The JeffDESIGN program at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School has as its mission to "design healthier cities, find more efficient ways to deliver care and develop the next generation of medical devices." In a feature on Next City, Bill Bradley describes student projects ranging from mapping the inefficiencies of hospital layouts to designing a better playground by monitoring how kids play.
Launched in February 2015, the program focuses on a broad range of design applications aimed at impacting real people’s health, from 3D printing that will help improve surgery to redesigning the physical space of hospitals. Most importantly, it’s about exploring the ways infrastructure, community and the built environment can have a positive impact on health.
FULL STORY: These Future Doctors Are Learning How to Influence Urban Design

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

Idaho Data: Unexpected Vehicle Repairs Exacerbate Housing Instability, Eviction Risk
Over 21 percent of clients struggle with transportation barriers.

A Year-Long Investigation On Permanent Supportive Housing
The New York Times reveals what’s working and what’s not in the cornerstone of Housing First.

Survey: US Public Spaces Not Meeting Community Needs
A lack of funding prevents many U.S. parks and public spaces from playing a more significant role in helping residents meet daily needs.
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