New mothers' experiences of the urban environment with their preterm infants involve complex social, emotional and psychological processes.

AIM: Studies have explored how mothers and premature babies make the transition from a neonatal unit (NNU) to home, but little is known about how mothers cope with urban life with a vulnerable baby. This controlled trial investigated how first-time mothers with singleton preterm babies handled that experience in the first few months after discharge from a NNU, compared to the first-time mothers of healthy, singleton term-born infants. METHODS: This parent-led, qualitative study was carried out in London, UK, from 2013 to 2015 and used diaries and walking interviews with researchers. Thematic network analysis was performed to provide insights into the experiences of these 19 mothers. RESULTS: The two groups had similar experiences and needs in the urban environment, and these common experiences of city life shaped their new identities as mothers. However, the mothers of preterm babies had difficulties developing supportive relationships and seeking affirming social environments. CONCLUSION: This study highlights what the mothers of preterm babies experienced in the first few months after their infant was discharged from hospital. It stresses the need to understand the complexity of the mothers' social, emotional and psychological processes when they make the transition from home to visit the city with a vulnerable baby.

Urban regeneration and democratization of information access: CitiStat experience in Baltimore.

This article explores the potential of a GIS-based approach to city management - Baltimore's CitiStat e-government program - for meeting the goals of sustainable urban regeneration. The argument advocated here builds on the widely held recognition that the application of ICTs in general can lead to both new forms of inclusion and exclusion of citizens. Therefore attending to the 'digital divide' is a relevant issue because cities are complex environments where outcomes of interventions are uncertain and widening participative arenas to different actors can increase the possibilities to regenerate declining urban areas in a more democratic way.