Table 1 |
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A taxonomy of urban environmental issues |
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Type of issues |
Representative risk factors |
Potential pathways of effect |
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Land use issues |
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Business and job loss |
Lengthens commutes, reduces walking |
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Proximity of toxic facilities |
Pollution may discourage outdoor activities |
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Lack of supermarkets |
May be more difficult to access healthy diets |
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Abandoned buildings |
Reduces density, increases crime |
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Vacant lots |
Increases crime, discourages walking |
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Infrastructure, maintenance and service issues |
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Sidewalks and street trees |
Lack of pedestrian amenities discourages walking |
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Lighting |
Fear of crime keeps people indoors |
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Transit projects |
Lack of transit makes people more dependent on driving |
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Social environment issues |
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Poverty and income inequality |
Poor areas suffer from disinvestment |
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Racial segregation |
May promote "redlining", the denial of loans to certain communities |
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Crime |
Unsafe areas may result in less physical activity, lower overall health status |
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Lopez and Hynes Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source 2006 5:25 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-5-25 |
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