Compact Cities and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review of the Associations Between Transmission of Covid-19 or Other Respiratory Viruses and Population Density or Other Features of Neighbourhood Design

Overview

Journal Health Place

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Public Health

Date 2022 Jun 1

PMID 35642837

Authors

Xiaomeng Zhang

Ziwen Sun

Thulani Ashcroft

Marshall Dozier

Kayla Ostrishko

Prerna Krishan

Emilie Mcswiggan

Marketa Keller

Margaret Douglas

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Living in compact neighbourhoods that are walkable, well connected, with accessible green space can benefit physical and mental health. However, the pandemic raises concern up to what extent features of compact neighbourhood design affect transmission of viral respiratory infections. We conducted a systematic review to identify, appraise and synthesise evidence reporting associations between transmission of respiratory viruses, including Covid-19, and dwelling or population density or other features of neighbourhood design. Twenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria. These studies used different measures of neighbourhood design, contributing to inconsistent findings. Whereas no convincing conclusion can be drawn here, the outcome of this review indicates that robust, global evidence is warranted to inform future policies and legislation concerned with compact neighbourhood design and transmission of respiratory and viral infection.

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