Vulnerable populations are often concentrated in neighbourhoods with less beneficial environments. This could include less greenspace, bringing hotter land surface temperatures, increased concentrations of air and noise pollution and fewer walkable amenities. Urban planners can play a crucial role in helping cities reduce these inequitable conditions by designing targeted interventions in areas that have a higher proportion of vulnerable populations exposed to less beneficial environmental conditions. However, pinpointing these hotspots can be a challenge because nationally standardized, locally relevant data that can help direct resources to those most at risk of negative health outcomes from environmental exposures have so far been unavailable to planners, policymakers and public health professionals.
