biostudies-literatureCerin EAustralian Catholic UniversityHong Kong Jockey Club Charities Truste036607https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7202706biostudies-literatureUnknown10(3)<h4>Introduction</h4>Numerous studies have found associations between characteristics of urban environments and risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline, such as physical inactivity and obesity. However, the contribution of urban environments to brain and cognitive health has been seldom examined directly. This cohort study investigates the extent to which and how a wide range of characteristics of urban environments influence brain and cognitive health via lifestyle behaviours in mid-aged and older adults in three cities across three continents.<h4>Methods and analysis</h4>Participants aged 50-79 years and living in preselected areas stratified by walkability, air pollution and socioeconomic status are being recruited in Melbourne (Australia), Barcelona (Spain) and Hong Kong (ChinaBMJ openInternational Mind, Activities and Urban Places (iMAP) study: methods of a cohort study on environmental and lifestyle influences on brain and cognitive health.PMC7202706ACURF18NATian LChan YKCaeyenberghs KCerin ENi MYChaix BJalaludin BTham RSallis JFLautenschlager NTCarver APoudel GNieuwenhuijsen MJSugiyama TDonaire-Gonzalez DDunstan DWAnstey KJBarnett AWheeler AJKnibbs LfalseInternational Mind, Activities and Urban Places (iMAP) study: methods of a cohort study on environmental and lifestyle influences on brain and cognitive health.<h4>Introduction</h4>Numerous studies have found associations between characteristics of urban environments and risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline, such as physical inactivity and obesity. However, the contribution of urban environments to brain and cognitive health has been seldom examined directly. This cohort study investigates the extent to which and how a wide range of characteristics of urban environments influence brain and cognitive health via lifestyle behaviours in mid-aged and older adults in three cities across three continents.<h4>Methods and analysis</h4>Participants aged 50-79 years and living in preselected areas stratified by walkability, air pollution and socioeconomic status are being recruited in Melbourne (Australia), Barcelona (Spain) and Hong Kong (China2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Mar2025-04-04T22:44:54.175Z2020-05-22T20:05:39ZS-EPMC72027063219327810.1136/bmjopen-2019-036607