Making unhealthy places:The built environment and non-communicable diseases in Khayelitsha, CapeTown

Smit, W., de Lannoy, A., Dover, R. V. H., Lambert, E. V., Levitt, N., & Watson, V. (2016). Making unhealthy places: The built environment and non-communicable diseases in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Health & Place, 39, 196–203. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.04.006

Platform
Cape Town
Publication type
Scientific article (peer-reviewed)
Projects
CityLab Programme
DOI Title
Making unhealthy places: The built environment and non-communicable diseases in Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Journal
Health & Place
ISSN/ISBN
1353-8292
DOI
10.1016/j.healthplace.2016.04.006
Author(s)
Warren Smit Ariane de Lannoy Robert V.H. Dover Estelle V. Lambert Naomi Levitt Vanessa Watson
Published year
Tags
Non-communicable diseases Cape Town South Africa built environment

 

Abstract

In this paper, we examine how economic, social and political forces impact on NCDs in Khayelitsha (a predominantly low income area in Cape Town, South Africa) through their shaping of the built environment.  The paper draws on literature reviews and ethnographic fieldwork undertaken in Khayelitsha. The three main pathways through which the built environment of the area impacts on NCDs are through a complex food environment in which it is difficult to achieve food security, an environment that is  not conducive to safe physical activity, and high levels of depression and stress (linked to, amongst other factors, poverty, crime and fear o fcrime). All of these factors are at least partially linked to the isolated, segregated and monofunctional nature of Khayelitsha. The paper highlights that in order to effectively address urban health challenges, we need to understand how economic, social and political forces impact on NCDs through the way they shape built environments.

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