Improving Urban Wellbeing

Solutions discussed:

Measure wellbeing by human development and sustainability, rather than by GDP

Governments should create an enabling environment for humans to thrive, and prioritise mental and physical health, and education, in the way that cities are designed for the present and in the future. People, place and planet should be at the heart of human wellbeing.

Presented by: Liz Zeidler, Founder and Chief Executive, Centre for Thriving Places

Thriving Places

Create conducive working through social infrastructure

This could include providing providing better transport systems, encouraging remote and hybrid work to encourage work-flexibility in both cities and suburbs. This has the potential of increasing work value both for employers and employees, while ensuring environmental sustainability due to reduced emissions from transportation.

Presented by: Richard Morris, CEO, IWG

International Workplace Group

Enhance physical activity in the urban environment by increasing opportunities in the built and social environments

Creating opportunities for physical activities like sports for vulnerable sections of cities, particularly persons living with disabilites, women and older adults, can help cities become more sustainable and equitable, and give citizens access to improved lives. This can be effectively implemented through including city departments, NGOs, schools and educators, the health sector, private sector and residents themselves, under the leadership of elected officials and neighbourhood leaders.

Presented by: Professor Fiona Bull, Head of Unit, Physical Activity, Department of Health Promotion, World Health Organization

Placing affected populations at the heart of our response

Design cities to situate infrastructure for wellbeing (such as hospitals, schools, green areas) within walking distances in communities/neighbourhoods (15 minute neighbourhood concept)

This ensures reduced emissions and equitable cities.

Presented by: Liz Zeidler, Founder and Chief Executive, Centre for Thriving Places

The 15-minute neighbourhood theory 

Engage students with older people within urban neighbourhoods to promote intergenerational communication and better living

This can be through reading groups where the students volunteer to read to and with the elderly, both indoors and outdoors, to stimulate interactive communication. This can also provide the elders with a sense of companionship.

Presented by: Bingxu Han, USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative, China

BENEFITS OF INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS

Use citizen science to promote active and healthy ageing in diverse local and urban communities, and ensure age friendly cities

Citizen science involves directly engaging older adults and commmunity stakeholders in all cycles of projects and research processes, to understand their local experiences, which would guide project and research outcomes and recommendations.

Presented by: Grace Wood, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK

Urban Environments Promoting Active and Healthy Ageing

 

Build green (vegetation and nature) and blue (rivers, ponds) open spaces in urban areas

Green and blue environments can improve physical and mental health, and protect the environment. This can effectively maximise urban regeneration and recreational potentiality for health and wellbeing.

Presented by: Professor Dimitra Babalis, Professor in Urban Planning and Design, University of Florence

Green and Blue Spaces and Mental Health