Urban Environment and Wellbeing
Urban Environment and Wellbeing
Wednesday 13 June, 9:00-12:00
View Co-Convenors' recommendations
Session co-conveners:
- Xuemei Bai, IHDP Scientific Committee member, Professor in Urban Environment and Human Ecology, Australian National University
- Nordin Hasan, Emeritus Professor, Director, ICSU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Speakers:
- Indira Nath, Immunology, Pathology, Communicable Diseases, Leprosy & Medical Biotechnology, Indian National Science Academy, India
- Koichi Yamada, Professor, Senior Advisor, Office of the President, University of Tokyo.
- Dov Jaron, Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, US, and ICSU Executive Board member
- Chuluun Togtokh, Science Secretary, Sustainable Development Institute, University of Mongolia
- Anthony Capon, Head, Discipline of Public Health Faculty of Health University of Canberra, Australia
- Susanne Saltz, Head of the Secretary General's Office, ICLEI - local governments for sustainability
Background
The purpose of this session is to explore rapidly-evolving challenges in urban environment, health and wellbeing and how these can be addressed within a sustainability framework. The session is based on the systems understanding of urban health, e.g. a healthy urban ecosystem and a good urban environment are part of urban health and wellbeing. One point of emphasis will be the role of the new ICSU Programme on Urban Health and Wellbeing in the Changing Urban Environment, and how the scientific insights generated by this and other programs can lead to rational and sustainable urban development policy.
Aim of the session
The focus will be on the types of scientific approaches needed to address challenges of sustainable cities and urban health and wellbeing. These include systems analysis to promote healthy and sustainable urban systems, participation of decision makers and stakeholders, improved data, integration of policy across scales and regions, and global scientific coordination.
The session will aim to set a hopeful vision for the future, focusing on three pillars: sustainability, urbanicity in the context of health and wellbeing, and urban and health development policies.
We will also aim to summarize and address the situation in two parts. First, what are the challenges we face, how are they different from what has come before, and what will we need in order to address them? Second, can we frame and address these challenges, through science, in such a way as to realize the co-benefits for health, the environment etc., inherent in sustainable development?
Structure of the session
Introduction: Nordin Hasan and Xuemei Bai
Keynote: Intertwined future- urban wellbeing and sustainable development
Session 1: Panel presentation and discussion- Urban wellbeing as a unifying framework for resolving major sustainability challenges. Moderator Nordin Hassan
Session 2: Panel presentation and discussion- New scientific approaches towards sustainable cities and urban wellbeing. Moderator Xuemei Bai
Final comments: Xuemei Bai and Nordin Hasan
