16-04-2021
Healthier and greener cities can benefit urban economies as well
Living in cities has been linked to higher exposure to pollution, lack of physical exercise, and a resulting increase in noncommunicable diseases. However, innovations in urban design can reverse this trend and show how cities can make people’s health better. Experts gathered at the WHO Urban Design for Health online symposium 14–16 April to share success stories that are already having an impact across the WHO European Region.
More people, more cars, more pollution For decades our city has been getting more crowded, says Erlijn Mulder, a strategic advisor for the city of Utrecht, Netherlands, which has been at the forefront of urban design for health. There are more people, more cars, more pollution, more heat. How do we cope?”