"This directory offers easy access to a wealth of resources that empower urban planners to
navigate the nexus of urban planning, development, and health. Access to such resources is
imperative for informed decision-making and building healthier urban environments. The directory
equips planners and city leaders with the knowledge and tools to make cities healthier and more
enjoyable.”
Raf Tuts, Director, Global Solutions Division, UN-Habitat
Available now available in 6 languages!
Integrating Health in Urban and Territorial Planning: The sourcebook
As of 2023, our joint Sourcebook with WHO is now available in six languages, including Portuguese and Russian. This expansion ensures that a wider global audience can access and benefit from the valuable insights and information contained within the publication.
Keeping the Momentum: Challenges and Opportunities | RBM Partnership to End Malaria
Over 360 people from various sectors attended an online membership meeting to coordinate efforts in malaria action and exchange knowledge and best practices for innovative interventions.
Systems Approach to achieving Water Security in a Changing Climate | UN Water Conference
The session highlighted the importance of an integrated systems approach to #WaterSecurity, and the interdependencies between people, institutions, natural environment, and infrastructure.
Urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Mainstreaming & examples for Healthy Arab Cities | MENACW 2023
The session introduced guidelines for Urban #EcosystemBasedAdaptation in the Arab Region,
emphasizing the link between cities, nature, and health for urban stakeholders.
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A life-course approach to placemaking | Healthy City Design
Together with WHO, we highlighted how placemaking can achieve positive health and well-being outcomes for all ages in cities - from children to older persons.
Building Heat-Resiliency: Actions for Healthier Cities and communities | Health Pavilion at COP28
Together with ICLEI Africa, ArborDay Foundation, and the Global Health Health Information Network, we offered six calls to action for participants to get involved and advance the protection of urban communities from extreme heat.
Eastern Mediterranean Region Healthy Cities Conference 2023
Over 1,300 attendees participated in the conference to discuss scaling up Healthy Cities in the Arab Region, and Multisectoral approaches to address climate challenges in dry urban areas, focusing on integrated health and equity in city planning.
Prescription for Healthy, Equitable Places | International Conference on Urban Health 2023
In a collaborative session, WHO and UN-Habitat actively addressed key solutions for creating healthy and equitable communities, focusing on integrating health and equity into urban development policy and planning.
The Urban Health workstream actively participated in various meetings and events, collaborating with esteemed global organizations and networks. Here is a glimpse of the notable gatherings where our team made significant contributions.
The first celebration focuses on #ZeroWaste initiatives that aim to advance responsible consumption and production practices in the face of the #TriplePlanetaryCrisis .
Welcoming remarks at the Fast Track Cities 2023
Over 700 attendees participated in the Amsterdam conference, taking local action to achieve global goals
in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis.#FastTrackCities
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Has COVID changed our city? | Belfast Healthy Cities
During the launch of six new chapters on COVID-19's impact on Belfast's health, well-being, and prosperity, UN-Habitat actively shared insights on pandemic learning in urban environments.
Young Researchers’ scavengers hunt | UIA World Congress of Architects 2023
The event provided young people a platform to share their perspectives on urban health issues. Over 25 messages from youth participants highlighted their aspirations for the future of urban health. #WorldMentalHealthDay
Understanding the relationship between urban environments and mental health
In a captivating session, Professor Prince Michael Amegbor from New York University delved into the dynamic relationship between urban environments and mental health. This enlightening event showcased groundbreaking methods derived from the EU Horizon 2020 projects REGREEN and ICARUS. Professor Amegbor introduced the innovative Geographically Explicit Ecological Momentary Assessment (GEMA) and Citizen-Participatory Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These tools have opened new avenues in real-time data collection and community involvement through participatory mapping. Click here to access the video.
Global Boiling and urban health resilience
In Urban October 2023, our Urban Health Workstream conducted the 'Global Boiling and Urban Health Resilience' Learning Session. Our distinguished speakers, Eleni (Lenio) Myrivili and Tolullah Oni, provided a comprehensive understanding of the challenges posed by extreme heat and guided us on what integrated actions are required to foster healthy, climate-resilient cities. If you missed this enlightening experience, we invite you to watch the session video and join us in embracing the knowledge shared for a sustainable urban future.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for urban health
The AI for Urban Health learning session was held during the Urban October and featured three outstanding speakers, Sarah Skenazy, Dr Ana Catarina Fontes, and Dr Lameck Mbangula Amugongo, who provided profound insights into the significant impact of AI on urban planning. They emphasised its pivotal role in fostering healthier cities and addressing data gaps, particularly in the world's southern regions. The event highlighted AI's crucial role in shaping urban landscapes and promoting global well-being while creating equity for all. Watch video here
Changing climates, shifting lives: exploring migration and urban health challenges
On November 28, urban planning, health, and migration experts gathered for a session about the health challenges migrants face in different environments. Speakers from IIHS, Aruna Bhattacharya and UC Davis, Michael Méndez, discussed issues in urban slums in India and peri-urban areas in California and presented strategies for urban planners to address these challenges. Watch the video to learn more.
Throughout the latter half of 2023, the Urban Health Workstream conducted four informative learning sessions covering trendy and crucial subjects. These topics included mental health and the environment, global warming, the use of AI for urban health, and the challenges posed by migration on urban health. We invited seven renowned speakers from diverse geographical locations with varying backgrounds and genders to share their insights. Our in-house team provided moderation and support for these sessions.
Learn about our approach to improving the health and well-being of young people in intermediary cities.
We invited young individuals worldwide to be part of a transformative dialogue through the Journal of Public Space ’s special issue on “ Public Space and Placemaking: Evaluating the Impact on Youth Health and Well-being .” We still accept creative expressions, including poems, photographs, and drawings. Join us and share your unique perspective on how public spaces influence youth health and well-being. Contact us today to be a part of this global conversation: [email protected]
Through collaborative efforts with the Bargny municipality and young people, we are working to restore Bargny’s coastal environment.
Our partners, the
University of Quindío
and the youth council have led the city-wide public space assessment training with 30 young
gamechangers.
With the
municipality of Jatni
,
we are working in 13 informal settlements with a cumulative population of 4,000 as the target
group to improve the health and well-being of youth.
Valerhim’s exceptional leadership within the Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI) led to
her selection for the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board. Her dedication to revitalizing
green spaces, advocacy for youth inclusion, and research on public policies showcased her
commitment to sustainable urban development and youth empowerment.
Know more
#Road2Accessibility
We asked our #YoungGamechangers to interview persons with disabilities in their
communities.
Here is the result!
Join us on a #Road2Accessibility to
achieve safe, inclusive and
accessible public
spaces for all.
The briefing session on urban health illustrated how integrated approaches can lead to better urban health outcomes. The session showcased recent publications on health and development from UN-Habitat and other partners. Partners had the opportunity to review and assess UN-Habitat and WHO collaborative efforts thus far and identify any further actions required to enhance their contribution to healthier cities and regions.
Cities and regions worldwide are affected by various factors that influence public health. These factors
go beyond the health sector and include planning and design. Urban design, policies, strategies, and
plans can contribute to cleaner air, better water quality, safer transportation, and improved disease
prevention measures. Therefore, the interplay of planning and design is critical in cultivating
healthier living environments and preventing diseases.
Recognizing the complexity of urban
dynamics, we understand that achieving and maintaining good health in cities requires a comprehensive
approach beyond just focusing on health systems. Different sectors, scales, and stakeholders must
collaborate to achieve multiple outcomes.
The UN-Habitat Strategic Plan for 2020-2025 acknowledges that sustainable development depends on
addressing the fundamental human rights of marginalized urban communities facing poverty and exclusion.
To achieve this goal, we are implementing a multifaceted approach that includes initiatives to improve
health and provide better access to basic services.
Our primary objective is to promote urban
development by focusing on health outcomes. We work closely with cities and partners to develop strong
urban planning systems, processes, and tools that aim to create healthy cities that meet the diverse
needs of all residents.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners and stakeholders who have been instrumental in our progress.
Acting Executive Director, UN-Habitat
This year, we continued our efforts to address the critical issues facing urban areas, particularly health disparities and inequalities. We have strived to improve living conditions, access to basic services, affordable housing, and sustainable urban environments, recognising the interconnected nature of these challenges. With more than half of the global population residing in cities, our work remains essential in promoting equity, social justice, and environmental well-being for urban residents of all ages. We have achieved this through collaborative partnerships, knowledge exchange, and innovative initiatives Together, we are paving the way for healthier, more inclusive, and more equitable cities, ensuring a brighter future for urban communities worldwide.
We must recognize that urbanization is a transformative force that can impact the health and well-being of citizens, and that cities should be engines of progress, promoting equity for all, from the very young to the elderly.
Read our summary of highlights, achievements and reflections over the past year.
