Heat waves are increasing, and cities seem especially prone. Using global climate models, this study finds that cities with stronger standardized heat islands and more-persistent heat experience more heat waves.

A comprehensive understanding of how urban nature affects mental health at a global scale remains essential. This study addresses that need through a systematic review and meta-analysis, revealing the effects of exposure to various urban nature types on 12 distinct mental health outcomes.

This study quantifies heat exposure and its impact on construction worker productivity in Taiwan. It finds that heat stress in the labor-intensive construction sector carries a substantial economic burden.

With nature in cities, as with the chemicals we ingest, the dose can make the difference. This analysis looks across other studies to find that, in practice, a moderate ‘dose’ of urban greenness provides the greatest mental health benefits.

City pedestrians must look out for road traffic, especially at busy intersections. This study finds that New York City’s leading pedestrian interval program gives people a head start over turning traffic that improves safety.

Shrinking US counties faced 165% higher COVID-19 excess mortality than growing areas, exacerbated by combined population and economic decline. Structural vulnerabilities in shrinking regions underscore the need for targeted health interventions addressing socioeconomic disparities.

In this interview, journalist and urban farmer Claudia Visoni explores how the community gardens of São Paulo city are transforming urban landscapes through grassroots activism, and revealing strategies for building sustainable green spaces that combat climate change, strengthen communities and challenge Brazil’s cultural relationship with manual labor and collective action.

In the digital era, cities are not just adapting to emerging technologies. They are being fundamentally reshaped and reimagined by them. In this July issue, we explore how innovations — such as digital platforms, surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence — are transforming urban planning, everyday life and governance.

Biocement, a product of microbial mineralization, offers a sustainable approach to enhancing the resilience and longevity of urban infrastructure. By enabling self-healing and reducing maintenance needs, it supports the development of eco-efficient cities that face climate and durability challenges.