Integrating health in urban and territorial planning: why, how and who

The Urban Library Event presents a unique opportunity to launch the sourcebook Integrating health in urban and territorial planning, which is already available in English, French and Spanish and will be shortly available in Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian.

The Sourcebook is one of the latest joint publications from WHO and UN-Habitat. It has been designed as a resource to assist national governments, local authorities, planning professionals, civil society organizations and health professionals, to improve planning frameworks and practice through the incorporation of health considerations, at all levels of governance and across the spatial-planning continuum. It aims to guide urban leaders and decision-makers to plan and build cities with a focus on human and environmental health.

The launch of the Sourcebook will be used to showcase “how to” integrate health in urban and territorial planning through different entry points, highlighting the reduction of air pollution, transport, and the accessibility to green spaces. The event will be interactive and engaging with the public will be a priority. A role-playing activity will be conducted to introduce the sourcebook and other WHO and UN-Habitat-related products (e.g., Urban Health Initiative, World Urban Campaign...). Also, we will have the pleasure to count on the participation of city representatives who have already used the sourcebook for their work toward developing healthier urban environments. Finally, we aim to have a discussion around the WHO physical activity guidelines, considering physical activity a relevant entry point for health in cities.