Creating urban environments that support the health and wellbeing of citizens has become an urgent priority considering growing urbanization and aging populations. Such environments provide all citizens with equal opportunities, regardless of their gender, age, health, socio-economic status, etc. Planning and designing urban environments with such characteristics have been attempted; however, it has proven to be a challenging endeavor. It is widely believed that an interdisciplinary approach is required to understand how urban environments can nurture and enhance wellbeing and a sense of belonging among citizens, particularly among vulnerable groups (i.e., women, children, people with disabilities, older people, and low-income households as recognized by the United Nations). It is important to identify ways of promoting a more bottom-up participatory approach to policy-making in urban planning/design where all citizens, including vulnerable groups, can provide their input on how design might help to make their lives not only healthier but also happier. Targeting Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), this Special Issue of Sustainability welcomes theoretical and empirical contributions from a variety of disciplines that provide deeper insights on the following: a) how urban planning and design interventions impact the wellbeing of vulnerable groups or communities, and b) what vulnerable groups’ experiences and perceptions are of transformations in urban environments. The main aim is to bridge approaches and methodologies from different disciplines (e.g., urban planning and design, environmental psychology, and behavioral and social sciences) to build an interdisciplinary capacity to overcome the challenges of creating urban environments that support health and wellbeing of vulnerable groups. Wellbeing here is intended to have a particular focus on psychological wellbeing, particularly concerning perceived opportunities or challenges for agency (i.e., action) and/or belonging (i.e., feeling part of the community). Empirical analyses of the urban transformation projects that enhance the wellbeing of vulnerable groups are especially welcome. The geographical scope of the Special Issue is global, and contributions regarding case studies and design interventions from both developed and developing countries will be equally relevant and welcome.
Keywords: urban environments; vulnerable groups; wellbeing; sense of belonging; happiness; cognitive health; equality; urban planning; urban design; urban transformation.