Investigating the role of the built environment in healthy living: lessons for urban managers from the literature

Abstract The increasing interest in research on healthy cities, reflected in the growing number of research outputs, coupled with the increasing need for building cities that promote the health and wellbeing of residents has evoked a need to conduct a review of this growing amount of research. In this connection, this study, through a systematic review of the literature, seeks answers to the following questions: How can the built environment be designed to promote healthy living? What insights can city authorities glean from existing literature? And what research gaps exist that could inform future studies in this area? Through this review, key lessons for city authorities to promote healthy living in urban areas are identified, alongside the identification of research gaps that can guide future investigations and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in urban planning.