Study protocol for evaluating integrated urban development plans: impacts on health, social equity, and environmental sustainability in Germany

Background The urban environment plays a significant role in shaping residents’ health, wellbeing, and opportunities for social participation. Urban development interventions have been shown to positively influence physical activity, mental health, quality of life, and self-reported health status. However, most previous studies have focused on single measures or specific environmental aspects. Integrated Urban Development Plans (IUDPs), by contrast, combine interventions from multiple domains, such as housing, infrastructure, green spaces, and social participation, to promote health equity and sustainable urban transformation. The SalusTransform project aims to evaluate IUDPs in three German cities regarding their implementation processes as well as their impacts on health, social equity, and ecological sustainability. Methods We will compare three IUDP intervention areas with three control areas in the respective cities using a mixed-methods design. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected to assess both process and outcome quality of the IUDPs. Primary data collections include resident surveys and focus groups, qualitative interviews with stakeholders, as well as environmental and infrastructural assessments, including air-quality measurements, site visits, and observations related to active mobility and urban green spaces. Secondary data on population structure, aggregated health indicators, and local implementation processes will be provided by the municipalities. Analyses will follow a difference-in-differences approach to identify changes attributable to IUDP implementation while accounting for similar developments in the control areas. Discussion By building a comprehensive database that links health-related, social, and environmental indicators, SalusTransform will provide valuable evidence on the real-world effects of IUDPs. Findings will inform municipalities, policymakers, and practitioners about the effectiveness and transferability of IUDPs and contribute to the institutionalisation of their systematic evaluation. Close collaboration with local authorities will ensure continuous monitoring of changes and strengthen the practical relevance of the research. Targeted communication strategies will be implemented to engage population groups that are often underrepresented in research and urban planning processes. Trial registration This study was prospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00036042) on May 28th, 2025.