IN-PERSON Barcelona Livable Cities. Section A
Abstract
Urban and transport planning practices have a significant impact on population health. Current evidence suggests that the burden of disease associated with prevailing planning approaches is substantial, highlighting a clear opportunity for improvement. This talk will summarise the latest evidence on the health impacts of urban and transport planning and present strategies for designing more liveable, healthier, and sustainable cities. Drawing on examples from Barcelona, the lecture will illustrate how integrated planning interventions—such as superblocks, green space initiatives, and active mobility policies—can lead to measurable health and environmental benefit.
Mark Nieuwenhuijsen is the director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative at ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Editor of 8 books, author of over 600 peer-reviewed journal articles, and co-author of 39 book chapters, he ranks among the top 1% of the most cited scientists in the world, according to Clarivate. In 2018, he received the ISEE John Goldsmith Award for his contributions to environmental epidemiology, and in 2021 he was recognised as the leading scientist in urban health. He currently chairs the biennial Urban Transitions conference and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Environment International. In 2020 and 2021, he was President of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology.
9:30 am - 10:45 am
Thursday 17th July, 2025