With over half of the global population living in urban areas and increasing evidence of climate change impacting people and infrastructure, a crucial question comes up: are cities prepared to protect their infrastructure and vulnerable population from climate-related challenges?.
Based on the survey from Urban Pulse report conducted by Resilient Cities Network, showcased that, out of 118 cities and 52 countries, less than half of the cities surveyed reported having a climate resilience plan, and only one in four indicated that their plan addressed both climate and health issues. Moreover, based on the same report, it was found that an astounding two-in-three cities identified air pollution, extreme heat, and flooding as high concern and priority issues.
BitaGreen, in collaboration with Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), proudly announces the launch of BGI Health as a feature of our BGI Builder, a transformative feature that bridges the gap between urban resilience and health outcomes. This innovation enhances BitaGreen’s Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) Builder platform, a climate and nature resilience platform that empowers city planners to design healthier, nature-positive environments leveraging actionable data.
Why Healthy Cities Matter?
Urbanization is both a driver of growth and a source of vulnerability. Cities are hubs of economic innovation and opportunity, hosting over half of the global population and generating more than 80% of global GDP. However, according to the UN Development Programme report, they also account for approximately 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are at the forefront of climate-related risks which include the intensifying urban heat island effect, frequent flooding, and deteriorating air quality. These are just a few examples of how climate change disproportionately affects urban areas, which exacerbate existing inequities, hitting vulnerable populations the hardest.
However, despite their vulnerabilities, cities hold immense potential for change. They offer unique opportunities to implement sustainable solutions and drive emissions reductions for the benefit of the residents health and their relation with the environment. For instance, on the relationship between the 3-30-300 rule, a study conducted by ISGlobal showcased that living in greener areas is associated with better mental health and less medication use, as the availability of green spaces within a municipality contributes to a significant reduction in the number of antidepressants prescribed.
Nevertheless, the drawbacks of cities' vulnerabilities still remain, as the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every year, 4.2 million people worldwide die due to the effects that air pollution inflicts on their health, and that more than 99% of the world’s population lives in areas where air pollution is above WHO air quality guidelines.
Therefore, the crucial question remains: how can cities deploy environmental and health solutions effectively? Currently, there is no tool in the market that combines environmental and health metrics at the scale required for city planning. This challenge makes it imperative for city planners to consider using evidence-based tools like the BGI Health, which quantify the impacts of urban greening and mobility interventions on public health, enabling cities to mitigate risks and build resilient, healthy communities.
The BGI Health feature is the first tool on the market that directly addresses these challenges with high resolution and actionable data. By integrating health metrics with geospatial analysis, it helps cities prioritize interventions that enhance environmental quality and significantly improve public health outcomes. This approach aligns with global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO policies, reinforcing the importance of creating resilient, inclusive urban spaces. As such, BGI Health stands as the first data-driven and actionable planning tool specifically designed to create healthier cities.
What is BitaGreen’s BGI Builder?
BGI, or Blue-Green Infrastructure, refers to nature-based solutions that combine water management (blue) with urban greenery (green). Examples include rain gardens, porous pavement, green roofs, urban trees, pocket forests and sustainable mobility options. These solutions aim to reduce urban heat, manage flood risks, enhance biodiversity, reduce noise and improve air quality, while also delivering tangible benefits to residents' health and well-being.
BitaGreen's BGI Builder enables cities to visualize and assess the impact of these interventions, providing a robust foundation for evidence-based decision-making. With BGI Health, the platform takes this a step further, integrating health impact assessments to ensure that nature-positive strategies translate into meaningful health improvements.
For a detailed overview of the BGI Health feature, have a look at the video below, and the detailed overview of the features underneath.
Key Features of BGI Health
Hotspot Identification & Area Prioritization
BGI Health uses advanced geospatial tools to identify hotspots—areas most vulnerable to environmental hazards—and prioritize them for intervention. Feasibility and impact analysis guide the placement of solutions like rain gardens and urban trees, ensuring resilient infrastructure and maximum benefits for the community.
Predefined and Custom Adaptation Scenarios
The platform provides predefined adaptation scenarios that range from conservative investment with high impact to ambitious targets such as compliance with 3/30/300 and WHO air quality and noise levels. It enables users to compare costs, benefits, and impacts of nature-based solutions. Custom scenarios empower users to tailor interventions to their specific policies and needs, integrating elements of sustainable mobility and green infrastructure.
Health Impact Assessment
This innovative feature estimates health impacts of various urban greening and mobility interventions, converting outcomes into metrics like Years of Life Lost (YLL) and Value of Statistical Life (VSL). Interactive charts and maps provide actionable insights, enabling city planners to prioritize interventions with the highest health returns.
Policy Compliance
BGI Health helps cities adhere to global and regional policies by turning complex data into actionable insights. The platform includes tailored scenarios, such as the WHO Scenario for meeting health guidelines, the Good Move Scenario for sustainable mobility, and the Nature-Positive Cities Scenario for enhancing biodiversity and resilience.
These features enable evidence-based policies, ensuring targeted action plans that improve health, mobility, and environmental outcomes. BGI Health makes compliance impactful and transformative with measurable benefits such as reduced costs, increased well-being, and enhanced urban quality.
The Power of Collaboration with ISGlobal
ISGlobal, a global leader in health impact assessment and urban health research, has been a key partner in developing the BGI Health feature. By integrating ISGlobal’s cutting-edge methodologies into the BGI Builder, this collaboration ensures that cities can accurately quantify the health benefits of their planning decisions. Together, BitaGreen and ISGlobal are setting a new benchmark for urban health and sustainability.
Transforming Urban Planning
The introduction of BGI Health marks a milestone in urban planning. As BitaGreen continues to innovate, BGI Health stands as a testament to the power of data-driven, collaborative approaches in building healthier, greener cities. Whether you're a city planner, policymaker, or investor, the platform offers the insights needed to create transformative, sustainable urban environments.
Ready to Transform Your City? Book a Demo Today!
Discover how BGI Health can empower your city to make smarter, data-driven decisions for healthier, more sustainable urban spaces. Book a personalized demo with our team today and see the power of actionable insights in reshaping your city's future.
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