More than half of world’s population lives in cities while only 5% did so in the 18th century. The rapid urbanisation has resulted in for example inadequate infrastructure, physical inactivity, gentrification, air pollution, and growing numbers of slum dwellers. All factors challenging health and wellbeing of the people living in the cities. In addition, when addressing climate change it has become of paramount importance to look at mitigation and adaptation investments tailored to the urban context.
As stated in the Sustainable Development Goal 11 adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, societies need to be at the forefront in the continuous management and design of urban spaces to secure that cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
In this course, you will learn about the key determinants of urban health including demography, climate change, air pollution, noise, transport systems, public and blue and green spaces, and policies and investments affecting sense of community and public safety. You will get a historical overview of the major trends in urban planning and meet a range of stakeholders in urban planning who will provide examples of innovative methods and people-centered approaches to create sustainable solutions.
Finally, you will be provided with a series of resources to inspire you to help create awareness and action around an idea or sustainable solution in the field of urbanisation and health.
The course has been developed (with support from EIT Health) in a partnership between the University of Copenhagen, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and University of Coimbra.
Researchers and stakeholders in urban planning will introduce you to cases from cities in Denmark, Spain, Portugal and many other urban settings across the world.
The aim of the course is to further interdisciplinary knowledge on urbanisation and health. We plan for the courses to reach citizens and activists as well planners, practitioners and decision-makers with a professional interest in sustainable urban planning from countries around the world.
This module will provide you with an overview of the key determinants of urban health. We will take you on a journey mainly through the European history of urbanisation and urban planning to reflect on the way health concerns and wellbeing have been considered and how general trends here have influenced the design of cities all across the world. Finally, we will dive into the causes and effects of air pollution and noise, two of the major health hazards in today’s urban settings. We hope the readings and resources will inspire you to begin exploring your own urban setting in terms of e.g. density and different kinds of pollution.
1.2 Changing Values of Urban Planning through History•15 minutes
1.3 How Air Pollution Impacts Health•17 minutes
1.4 Noise and Sound•14 minutes
6 readings•Total 65 minutes
1.1 Mandatory reading and resources•25 minutes
1.1 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
1.2 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
1.3 Mandatory Reading and Resources•30 minutes
1.3 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
1.4 Mandatory Reading and Resources•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
1.1•30 minutes
1.2•30 minutes
1.3•30 minutes
1.4•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 65 minutes
Your experience with air pollution and noise•20 minutes
Urban planning and policies in your area•20 minutes
Community- driven initiatives•25 minutes
Ageing and Gentrification
Module 2•6 hours to complete
Module details
The world population is undergoing major changes. The share of urban population is increasing, as does that of people aged 65 or over. In this module we will focus on the concept of ageing across the lifecycle, and on how different features of urban environment influence health and the ageing process. Furthermore, we will explore the phenomenon of gentrification and its impact on health in different segments of our populations. In the reading and resources section you will find shortcuts to databases and cases from different cities.
2.1 Challenges of Global Ageing in an Urbanising World•7 minutes
2.2 How place affects ageing•14 minutes
2.3 Gentrification and Health•12 minutes
6 readings•Total 220 minutes
2.1 Mandatory Reading and Resources•70 minutes
2.1 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
2.2 Mandatory Reading and Resources•90 minutes
2.2 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
2.3 Mandatory Reading and Resources•60 minutes
2.3 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
2.1•30 minutes
2.2•30 minutes
2.3•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Assess your neigborhood using the Place Standart Tool guide•20 minutes
Issues related to gentrification or displacement•20 minutes
Nature-based Solutions
Module 3•7 hours to complete
Module details
On many different levels evidence confirm how crucial the integration of elements of nature in the urban design is to sustain physical as well as mental health. In this module you will be introduced to blue and green planning as an instrument to promote health and mitigate and adapt to climate changes. We will look at the benefits of green space and small-scale urban farming from a community and health perspective. You will also meet examples of how new ways of designing public space motivates citizens to lead a daily physically active and healthy life. In the readings and resource section you will find more in depth material on nature based solutions and effects on climate change.
3.1 How Blue and Green Infrastructure Promote Human Health •14 minutes
3.2 Climate Change and Health•12 minutes
3.3 Urban Farming•12 minutes
3.4 Physical Activity in an Urban Environment•6 minutes
7 readings•Total 243 minutes
3.1 Mandatory Reading and Resources•33 minutes
3.1 Optional Reading and Resources •0 minutes
3.2 Mandatory Reading and Resources•105 minutes
3.2 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
3.3 Mandatory Reading and Resources•60 minutes
3.3 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
3.4 Mandatory Reading and Resources•45 minutes
4 assignments•Total 120 minutes
3.1•30 minutes
3.2•30 minutes
3.3•30 minutes
3.4•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Fresh and healthy foods•20 minutes
Your daily commute•20 minutes
Innovative Solutions
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
How can we align urban planning with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals? In an urban context, how can we bend the curve of obesity? How can we reduce mortality and disease associated with the layout of the urban space and namely the way we design our transport systems? In this module you will meet stakeholders who are globally engaged in the development and implementation of sustainable approaches to resolve some of the major health related challenges that cities are facing globally. Further, you will get access to tools and frameworks for your own use
4.1 Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals through Urban Planning and Design•11 minutes
4.2 Assessing the Impacts of Urban and Transport Planning on Health•15 minutes
4.3 Bending the Curve of Urban Diabetes•17 minutes
5 readings•Total 91 minutes
4.1 Mandatory Reading and Resources•30 minutes
4.1 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
4.2 Mandatory Reading and Resources•46 minutes
4.3 Mandatory Reading and Resources•15 minutes
4.3 Optional Reading and Resources•0 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
4.1•30 minutes
4.2•30 minutes
4.3•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 20 minutes
Introduce the problem you will address•20 minutes
Innovation and Communication
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
Maybe you are already involved in activities that support a healthy and sustainable development in your own neighborhood or city, or even across cities. Or maybe you would like to get started or take action in a new way. Now is your chance to mature and consider how you can best convince others to engage in your idea!
In the previous modules we have identified the key determinants to urban health and provided examples of prevailing methods to come up with sustainable solutions. We now add to the palette some overall principles and frameworks commonly used for innovation to improve health. You will also be introduced to some tools to effectively communicate your specific idea, including ways to visualize the data you build your arguments around.
In the resource section you will find a variety of toolkits and design guides and we invite you to study each of them and consider which parts could be helpful to identify and come up with a suggestion for a sustainable solution to a specific problem you are engaged in.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 43 minutes
5.1Innovation in Health: Three Approaches to Start your Innovation•12 minutes
5.2 Building a Great Story•12 minutes
5.3 Visualise Data to Support your Case•19 minutes
1 reading•Total 130 minutes
Mandatory Reading and Resources•130 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
Health must be the number one priority for urban planners•30 minutes
Instructors
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark; founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is the oldest and largest Spanish technical university, with more than 4.000 faculty members, 38.000 undergraduate students and 6.000 postgraduates in 21 Schools which cover most of engineering disciplines. More than 2,400 researchers carry out their activity at the UPM, grouped in 204 Research Groups, 19 Research Centers and 55 Laboratories. The intense collaboration with governmental bodies and industry guarantees that research at the UPM offers real solutions to real-world problems. Recently, European Commission has approved the EELISA (European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance) lead by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in collaboration with other universities across Europe in order to reinforce the committment of European Universities towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the current social challenges of XXI century.
The University of Coimbra was founded in 1290 and constitutes a reference in higher education and R&I in Portugal, with academic reputation recognized worldwide. It includes eight faculties and over 30 research units, covering almost all study fields (Engineering, Technology, Life and Health Sciences, Architecture, Economy, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Psychology, Pharmacy and Sports) as well as several bodies devoted to interdisciplinary research, arts and culture. UC offers advanced training programs in different areas that bind to technology, being considered by EC as one of the 20 most inspiring cases in Europe. Knowledge and technology transfer is at its core, resulting in successful initiatives, like IPN Incubator, TECBis- Business accelerator unit and Biocant, and in the creation of more than 200 spin-offs, most of them health-related.
EIT Health is a vast, vibrant community of world-leading health innovators backed by the European Union. Working across borders, our network connects approximately 150 world-class partner organizations, as well as entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs from the worlds of business, research, education, and healthcare delivery. Our ambition is to enable people in Europe to live longer, healthier lives by transforming businesses and delivering new products and services that can progress healthcare in Europe and strengthen our economy.
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The course is really good. I wish there was some type of written assignment where we could apply our learning
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Not only it taught me new things, but inspired me and gave me new ideas for future projects. Amazing work!
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