Fundamentals of Planning Cities for Healthy Living 
BY Avi Friedman and Alexandra Pollock (Anthem Press, 2024)
REVIEW Ian Chodikoff 
Avi Friedman and Alexandra Pollock believe we should consider our cities as ?exercise machines.? In Fundamentals of Planning Cities for Healthy Living, they critically examine urban design?s integral role in shaping public health outcomes. This book aims to support the work of design professionals, often emphasizing the self-evident: our built environment directly influences lifestyle choices related to physical activity, nutrition, social interactions, public health and climate change. 
The book highlights the disparity in health outcomes observed in underinvested urban neighbourhoods. The lack of access to recreational spaces, healthy food options, and safe pedestrian routes exacerbates issues like obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders, especially in lower-income neighbourhoods. The authors call for a multidimensional approach that includes strategies like food security, active mobility, green spaces, and inclusive public places. The book also stresses the need for greater cooperation between government, private and healthcare sectors, nonprofits, and more effective public awareness campaigns, underlining the procedural tactics necessary to move the needle for healthier outcomes for our cities and urban populations. The authors recognize that urban design needs to be justified in economic, environmental, and sociological terms,...