Fano launches FANO-WALK65 research project on urban health

The FANO-WALK65 research project has been launched in Fano, Italy, to investigate the relationship between the urban environment, lifestyle, and the health and quality of life of residents. This interdisciplinary study is a collaboration between the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, the Municipality of Fano, and the Design & Health Lab at the Politecnico di Milano.

The research specifically focuses on the population aged over 65. Over the next 24 months, researchers aim to collect data from at least 1,000 participants out of Fano’s approximately 14,000 elderly residents through specialized questionnaires. The study will examine how urban factors—such as walkability, cycling infrastructure, access to services, green spaces, social opportunities, and environmental stressors like air, noise, and light pollution—impact public health.

Additionally, the project will utilize mapping and temperature data to study microclimatic conditions, including the urban heat island effect. The goal is to provide municipal administrators with scientific evidence to guide future urban planning and design decisions that promote physical and psychological well-being.