The Urban Environment and Public Health: Associations Between COVID-19 Cases and Urban Factors in Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract UN-Habitat noted that COVID-19 cases were disproportionately found in urban areas. A question arises as to what urban factors are related and how they are related. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the association between urban factors and cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Semarang City, the fifth largest Indonesian city with diverse urban characteristics. Through literature review, twelve urban factors were selected and tested against cumulative COVID-19 cases. The study was conducted cross-sectionally during the new normal period until just before the delta variant of COVID-19 emerged. The association was analyzed using robust regression because the OLS regression assumptions were not met. This study found a strong association based on a high R2 (0.725) value. This study also found six significant variables and found that; (1) elderlies are a vulnerable group that needs to be cared for, (2) planned densities are associated with lower COVID-19 cases, and (3) COVID-19 spread among the poor is presumably undetected, (4) bus transportation and (5) commercial facilities have higher COVID-19 transmission risk. Finally, the study outlines implications for future planning to promote planned densities, light active mobility, reduce poverty, and increase healthcare capacity.