A Toolbox for Improving Health in Cities: A Discussion Paper

This paper applies the theory of complex adaptive systems to health in cities. It describes the features of complex systems and identifies a variety of tools for promoting health in such a context. Complex adaptive systems are made up of many individual, self-organizing elements capable of responding to others and to their environment. The entire system can be seen as a network of relationships and interactions, in which the whole is very much more than the sum of the parts. A change in any part of the system, even in a single element, produces reactions and changes in associated elements and the environment. Nevertheless, by making many small-scale changes and selecting those that produce the desired effects, individuals and groups may succeed in bringing about improvements to the system as a whole. A case study is used to illustrate how the toolbox can be applied.

ISBN – 1-55382-036-3