Cities and regions can face challenges when it comes to health and the environment, but they also have a lot of potential to collaborate for solutions.

This past summer at ICLEI World Congress, prominent health experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), non-governmental organisations, and academia explored links between Nature-based Solutions and One Health – in particular how the two approaches can align to foster resilient, healthy urban environments and communities.

Gearing up for City Engagement on Health at the 10th European Cities and Towns Conference

Now leading up to the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns to be held in ICLEI Member Aalborg (Denmark), we build upon the legacy of the Aalborg Commitments, signed by more than 700 cities and towns. Health is one crucial pillar of the commitments:

1. To raise awareness and take action on the wider determinants of health, most of which lie outside the health sector.
2. To promote city health development planning, which provides our cities with a means to build and maintain strategic partnerships for health.
3. To reduce inequalities in health and address poverty, which will require regular reporting on progress towards reducing
   the gaps.
4. To promote health impact assessment as a means for all sectors to focus their work on health and the quality of life.
5. To mobilise urban planners to integrate health considerations in their planning strategies and initiatives.

One Health 4 Cities is one such network of local governance already making strides for Planetary and One Health 4 European Cities. "One Health" is an approach that recognises the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental health. The approach emphasises the need for cities to unify preventatively to mitigate negative impacts to health and well-being. You can watch this informative video to learn more about One Health 4 Cities.

ICLEI Member Lahti (Finland) is an influential partner of the One Health 4 Cities Network. Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen of Lahti will be present at the Aalborg Conference alongside Mads Duedahl, regional council chairman of the North Denmark Region.

A unique role play session, New Monia an Unhealthy City (Session 3.6), is sure to inspire participants to take an active role in shaping the future health outcomes of the city of New Monia, a former industrial city which has lots of development potential, but is unfortunately plagued by a population with many health problems. The city council must discuss four development projects, each of which can make the city healthier and better to live in. But the projects contain dilemmas, and all choices have a consequence. What will YOU choose?

During the session you will also learn more about how you can become involved to make a difference for health in your own city. Register for the 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns here.