Grant: Project Grant - PA: Population and Public Health - Healthy Cities

Improving the environment of disadvantaged neighbourhoods by building new houses or putting in public and green spaces can improve the health of the people who live there, and reduce health inequities at the population level. However, such changes can also have negative impacts if residents do not benefit from the new resources or if new people move in, disrupt existing social networks, and make the locals feel "out of place". The city of Sherbrooke (QC) is planning to improve its downtown neighbourhood in the coming years. Because the area has a high poverty rate and a large number of young people live there, local organizations are concerned about negative impacts on young residents through an influx of richer residents, disruption of social networks and social exclusion. The goal of our research is to examine how changes to the Sherbrooke downtown neighbourhood impact the way young people feel about their neighbourhood, their social connections and their well-being. We will also assess if impacts vary by gender, educational level, and employment status. Young adults aged 16 to 30 years-old will complete a survey before the changes are made and three times after that. We will compare their answers before, during and after to examine impacts. We will also conduct "go-along interviews" with participants. They will guide us on a walk through the neighbourhood to talk about how it influences their day-to-day lives, how they feel about the neighbourhood, and how it impacts their well-being. Our team includes experts in public health, geography, and statistics. Our research is done with partners from the community and the city. The project will provide high-quality information on how improving neighbourhoods in mid-size Canadian cities can influence the health of young people of diverse socio-economic groups. With this information in hand, key stakeholders will be able to act to ensure future neighbourhood improvement projects benefit all young people equally.