In the United States, nearly 1 in 10 children are affected with asthma, a condition with rates significantly higher in urban areas of the country. However, in a community just outside Atlanta with a population of more than 300 children, not a single case of the condition has been reported. This is by design. Most cities and neighborhoods across the country are not designed with human biology in mind, an oversight that contributes to the growing prevalence of cardiovascular disease and mental health challenges. Are we treating chronic conditions as purely medical, when they may actually be symptoms of poor design?
For millions of years, humans have evolved in natural environments with daily exposure to sunlight, seasonal rhythms, and constant contact with living systems. Yet modern urban planning systematically removes these essential elements from daily experiences. Cities are designed against the basic needs of human biology.
