Urban planning may affect cognitive and motor development in children

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933837

 

 News Release 4-Nov-2021
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)

 

A new study from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the ”la Caixa” Foundation, provides further scientific evidence of the health benefits of well-designed urban planning. The study suggests that the built environment, green space and air pollution can affect cognitive and motor function in children.

According to numerous studies, the urban environment can influence neurodevelopment from conception onwards, for example through exposure to air pollution. However, previous research has not evaluated the impact of multiple exposure groups simultaneously using an early-life exposome approach.

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 The findings showed that exposure to some built environment design factors, natural spaces and air pollution was associated with children’s cognitive and motor function at five years of age. Specifically, higher exposure to greenness within 300 metres of the home during pregnancy was associated with higher verbal abilities. In contrast, greater connectivity (density of street intersections) and land use diversity during pregnancy were associated with lower verbal abilities.

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