Abstract
Rapid urbanization has resulted in decreased biodiversity, adversely impacting ecosystem functions and human health, especially in rural regions. Biomechanics-informed rural planning integrates principles of biological mechanics with biodiversity enhancement and public health objectives to establish sustainable communities. Purpose: This study aims to foster resilient ecosystems and healthier rural populations by introducing biomechanics-informed approaches to rural planning that synergize biodiversity enhancement with health promotion. Methods: This study bridges the knowledge gap by examining the relationship among biomechanically efficient behaviors, personal health, and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (EDRR) through the lens of the Health Belief Model (HBM). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to investigate the correlations between the study's key variables. The research focused on a rural community impacted by disaster to test the hypotheses, exploring biomechanics-informed rural planning strategies that facilitate sustainable development and biodiversity enhancement. Results: The findings indicate that health perceptions and EDRR attributes indirectly influence biomechanically efficient behaviors. Specifically, participation in activities that support biodiversity is positively associated with perceptions of social integration benefits, EDRR awareness, and health promotion. Conclusion: This study underscores the potential to integrate biomechanics into Emergency Disaster Risk Reduction (EDRR) initiatives and community planning to encourage healthy lifestyles and enhance the environmental sustainability of resilient communities.
Published Version
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