Media Coverage
Research from the Urban Design Science for Health Lab and the wider research programme has received international media coverage and university research communication across urban design, population health, active living, cardiometabolic health and emerging methods for healthy cities.
Press releases and media coverage are presented separately from research infographics. Images in the press section are drawn from the corresponding research communication or publication materials.
Press Releases & Media Coverage
2026 · ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND URBAN DESIGN
AI and Urban Design for Health
This study evaluated 180 ChatGPT-generated recommendations for health-supportive built environments against four ethical criteria. The responses consistently avoided clear harm and generally treated lower-income settings fairly, but community participation and transparent human oversight were less consistent, particularly under budget constraints.
Coverage: EurekAlert · Waseda University
2025 · URBAN DESIGN METHODS
Parametric Urban Design for Health
Research on parametric urban design examined how evidence on cardiometabolic health can be translated into spatial design alternatives that can be systematically compared and tested.
Coverage: EurekAlert · Waseda University
2024 · WORKPLACE HEALTH
Active Workplace Design
Research on physical workplace design highlighted how office environments may support more active patterns of behaviour and identified priorities for research on physical activity and sedentary behaviour at work.
Coverage: ScienceDaily · EurekAlert · Waseda University
2024 · SPORTS SCIENCE
Built Environments and Sports Science
This work considered how built environment design can contribute to contemporary sports science, including athlete-centred training environments, engagement with fans and communities, and integrated accessibility around sports facilities.
Coverage: EurekAlert · Waseda University
2023 · CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH
Urban Design and Cardiometabolic Risk
This empirical study used data from more than 7,000 Canadian adults to examine conventional and space syntax-based walkability measures in relation to cardiometabolic risk, including blood pressure and body mass index.
Coverage: EurekAlert · Waseda University
2023 · DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS
Metaverse and Public Health
Conceptual work considered how immersive virtual environments could contribute to built environment and public health research while identifying important uncertainties surrounding their use.
Coverage: ScienceDaily · Waseda University
2023 · PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & SLEEP
Physical Activity and Sleep Quality
Research examined sedentary behaviour, physical activity and sleep quality, including the potential implications of replacing sedentary or light-intensity activity time with more intensive physical activity.
Coverage: ScienceDaily · Waseda University
2022 · MENTAL HEALTH
Urban Design and Mental Health
Research examined relationships between neighbourhood design and depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults, including perceived walkability, transport access and neighbourhood safety.
Coverage: EurekAlert · Waseda University
2020 · CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Built Environment and Cardiovascular Health
This review synthesised evidence linking neighbourhood built environments with cardiovascular disease and identified methodological and policy priorities for advancing research at the intersection of urban design and cardiovascular health.
Coverage: Waseda University · University of Calgary
Additional Media Coverage
- Street layouts, destinations and walking (2023). EurekAlert.
- Neighbourhood environments and metabolic syndrome (2023). ScienceDaily · EurekAlert.
- Place attachment and walking (2023). ScienceDaily.
- Driving time, body weight and waist circumference (2016). ScienceDaily · Tech Times.
- Street connectivity, traffic speed and park use (2013). Smart Growth Online.
Research Infographics
Research infographics are presented separately from press and media coverage. These visual summaries provide concise representations of selected research questions, findings and implications.
Active Workplace Design
Visual summary of research gaps and future pathways concerning physical workplace design, physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
More research infographics are available on the Research Outputs page.
Media Enquiries
Media and interview enquiries concerning urban design, built environments, population health, spatial science and emerging AI applications are welcome. Requests should identify the organisation or outlet, intended audience, proposed topic, format and relevant deadline.
For enquiries, please use the details provided on the Contact page.