Human Health in The London Plan: How Health is Framed in a World City’s Spatial Development and Climate Action Strategy

Abstract

This paper examines how human health is addressed in The London Plan: Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London (July 2011 edition), particularly in relation to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Using conceptual content analysis, the study identifies eight distinct health frames and nearly 200 references to health across the 317-page document. The findings highlight three main conclusions: health threats are defined in highly localised terms; both mitigation and adaptation policies are recognised as providing health benefits; and reducing health inequalities and fostering supportive environments for health emerge as key cross-cutting priorities. The paper situates health as an integral yet underexplored dimension of climate-focused urban planning.