Urbanism, climate change and health: systems approaches to governance

Anthony G. Capon; Emma S. Synnott; Sue Holliday

doi:10.1071/NB08059

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Urbanism, climate change and health: systems approaches to governance

Anthony G. Capon ^A ^D , Emma S. Synnott ^B and Sue Holliday ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University

^B Arup (global firm of designers, engineers, planners and business consultants)

^C Strategies for Change (urban strategy consultancy)

^D Corresponding author. Email: tony.capon@anu.edu.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 20(2) 24-28 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB08059
Published: 25 February 2009

Abstract

Effective action on climate change health impacts and vulnerability will require systems approaches and integrated policy and planning responses from a range of government agencies. Similar responses are needed to address other complex problems, such as the obesity epidemic. Local government, with its focus on the governance of place, will have a key role in responding to these convergent agendas. Industry can also be part of the solution – indeed it must be, because it has a lead role in relevant sectors. Understanding the co-benefits for health of climate mitigation actions will strengthen the case for early action. There is a need for improved decision support tools to inform urban governance. These tools should be based on a systems approach and should incorporate a spatial perspective.

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Liam Ryan for assistance with Figure 1. Anthony Capon is partly supported by funding from an NHMRC Australia Fellowship award to Professor AJ McMichael.

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