The definition of a healthy city is one that constantly broadens social sources that help people support one another to reach their full potential, conduct their vital functions, establish and develop social and physical environments.
A healthy city is defined the process of the city, and not just the results obtained. A healthy city is not one that has reached a certain level of health; it is one that makes an effort to improve health and is aware of what a healthy city is. Therefore, every city can be a healthy city, regardless of their level of health; being devoted to becoming a healthy city, and having the structure and process to achieve the said objective is enough to be a healthy city.
The Characteristics of a Healthy City;
A healthy city is one that has;
1- A Clean, safe physical environment of high quality ( including housing quality),
2- An ecosystem that is stable now and sustainable in the long term,
3- A strong, mutually supportive and non-exploitive community,
4- A high degree of participation and control by the public over the decisions affecting their lives, health and wellbeing,
5- The meeting of basic needs( for food, water, shelter, income, safety and work) for all the city’s people,
6- Access to a wide variety of experiences and resources, with the chance for a wide variety of contact, interactions and communication,
7- A diverse, vital and innovative city economy,
8- The encouragement of connectedness with the past, with the cultural and biological heritage of citydwellers and with other groups and individuals, a form that is compatible with and enhances the preceding characteristics,
9- An optimum level of appropriate public health and sick care services accessible to all and
10- High healthy status(high levels of positive health and low levels of disease)