The effects of urbanization on mortality risk in other regions

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the stated research gap and stated challenges and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 5 journals.

Supporting evidence — 7 representative gaps

• Urban Heat as a Development-Health Risk: Built-Environment Drivers of Physical Disease, Mental Well-Being and Climate-Responsive Planning (2026) · Urban Science · doi

  The paper identifies a gap in the existing literature, which often treats urban heat islands as accidental anomalies rather than systematic expressions of development choices. There is a need for a more integrated approach to understanding the relationship between urban development and health. The study highlights the importance of considering urban heat as a development-health risk and the need for climate-responsive planning.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: paper identifies gap existing literature often treats urban
• Urban Heat as a Development-Health Risk: Built-Environment Drivers of Physical Disease, Mental Well-Being and Climate-Responsive Planning (2026) · Urban Science · doi

  The paper identifies the challenge of developing a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between urban development and health, given the complexity and heterogeneity of the existing literature. The study highlights the need to address the issue of thermal inequality, which is recurrent across the evidence base. The paper notes the challenge of developing interventions that are seasonal, climate-sensitive, and place-based, given the varying contexts and needs of different cities and communities.

  generalstated challenges
  Keywords: paper identifies challenge developing comprehensive understanding relationship between
• Assessing ethical aspects of heat adaptation in informal settlements in LMIC urban areas using a disaster justice informed theory: a rapid review (2026) · Frontiers in Climate · doi

  The gap in research on heat adaptation in informal settlements, particularly in terms of ethical considerations. The lack of inclusion of at-risk populations in urban heat adaptation strategies. The need for more studies on the participation of at-risk groups in urban heat adaptation in LMICs.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: gap research heat adaptation informal settlements particularly terms
• Governing climate change adaptation in urban Tanzania: health system capacity gaps and implications for resilience (2026) · Frontiers in Climate · doi

  Evidence on the capacity of urban health systems to govern and implement climate change adaptation actions is limited. There is a need to understand the governance capacity of urban health systems for climate change adaptation in low- and middle-income countries. The study aims to fill this gap by exploring the governance capacity of the urban health system for climate change adaptation in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

  generalstated research gap
  Keywords: evidence capacity urban health systems govern implement climate
• Climate Shelters: an urban network for climate resilience and neighbourhood services (2026) · TECHNE - Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment · doi

  The intensification of extreme weather events impairs urban liveability, and poses a serious health risk to vulnerable populations. The combination of technological solutions, nature-based approaches and social interventions is recognised as a key lever for systemic transformation. There is a need for more comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: intensification extreme weather events impairs urban liveability poses
• Urbanization’s dual edge: mitigating yet magnifying mortality risks from urban heat islands amidst global warming (2026) · npj Urban Sustainability · doi

  Further studies should investigate the effects of urbanization on mortality risk in other regions. Research should focus on developing more accurate models of urbanization-induced temperature changes. Studies should explore the impacts of climate change on urban heat island effects.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: further studies investigate effects urbanization mortality risk other
• Machine learning driven land surface temperature prediction and urban heat risk assessment in the Gambia (2026) · Discover Cities · doi

  Urbanization is exerting pressure on and altering the physical biodiversity, environment, and ecosystem. Temperature increases are becoming more extreme, with heatwaves reported more often, for longer durations, and at higher intensities. The lack of proper planning of urban settlements leads to air and water pollution, weather changes, diseases, and land use/land cover changes.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: urbanization exerting pressure altering physical biodiversity environment ecosystem

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