Can urban design be a science for health studies?

Abstract

Urban design is an interdisciplinary discipline integrating elements of science and art, depending on each discipline being researched or practiced. Its classification as a science, a non-science (i.e., an art), or both, remains a widely debated topic in the field. This paper presents at least three reasons why urban design can be treated as a science (not an art) in particular fields, such as population health, which require more objective tools and indicators: the importance of systematic data analysis, the emphasis on evidence-based decisions and assessments, and the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration. This scientific perspective enables urban design to more effectively address public health challenges in built environments. Further, the paper proposes key future directions to enhance the scientific approach to urban design in relation to population health. These include the development of standardised terminology and metrics, the application of data-driven technologies such as geospatial artificial intelligence, the establishment of science-based urban design codes and policies, and the enhancement of urban design education through scientific research methods. These steps are essential to advance the scientific understanding of urban design’s impact on health.