Edinburgh Napier University

  Background: Land use and distribution of resources and power result in spatial patterning such as residential segregation and population density, as well as social and health inequalities. The purpose of this paper is to deliberate whether the rights of citizens extend to community environmental health drawing on theory from urban geography.
Methods: It will be necessary to question whether spatial characteristics of a neighbourhood influence the attitudes of residents towards neighbourhood health and whether attitudes towards the distribution of wealth might be influenced by “place”.
Discussion: Epidemiological and sociological evidence indicates an association between spatial patterning and outcomes of health and wellbeing for individuals and communities. It is proposed that researching socio-environmental relations will include investigating relationships between population density and health status, and exploring economic, social and health rights within discrete neighbourhoods. Research questions will be posed investigating whether population density influences the attitudes of residents towards a “commons” of health, mutuality and equality. Drawing on social justice theory, potential challenges to exploring these issues will be identified from within populations across the socio-economic spectrum. A reflection on how processes of spatial patterning might challenge the effectiveness of community health interventions will be conducted.
Conclusion: Opportunities exist for inter-disciplinary researchers from Urban Studies, the Built Environment, and Public Health to explore socio-environmental relations traversing population density, health status, socio-economic position and community attitudes towards health and social inequalities.