A major study out of Oxford University and the University of Hong Kong concludes living in cities and more dense areas may be a healthier choice than living in the suburbs.
The survey data shows that people living in areas above an 1,800 units per kilometer density threshold have a roughly 10 percent lower chance of being obese. Fast Company reports it includes inner cities where people are more likely to live in apartment blocks and smaller terraced homes, where walking to work, socialize, and shop are normalized.
The research is part of an emerging field that aims to bring scientific rigor to the urban planning-health question. Urbanists will often say that cities are better for walking cycling and that sprawl, of the type seen in many newer American cities, is bad for us ... While the U.K. data suggests a strong relationship, other cities will vary based on its exact layout and the health predisposition of inhabitants.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Market Data + Trends
10 States Where Home Insurance Rates Have Risen the Most
Responding to the increasing number of natural disasters, insurers are hiking prices, with some states bearing the brunt more than others
New-Home Sales
Mortgage Rates Are Up but New-Home Sales Still Solid in March
Lack of existing home inventory drove a rise in new-home sales, despite higher interest rates in March
Labor + Trade Relations
Who's Earning What in Construction
Workers in construction management roles may earn a higher median wage, but on average, lower-paid occupations have experienced somewhat faster wage growth