ICUH 2024: A Healthier Horizon: Activating Urban Health Strategies for a Climate

The workshop is designed to equip urban planners, public health professionals, and other stakeholders with the methodologies and tools needed for conducting Rapid Health Impact Assessments (Rapid HIA) specifically tailored to urban renewal policies and projects. Rapid HIA is a streamlined approach to health impact assessments that allows for quick yet comprehensive evaluations of health impacts in fast-paced planning environments. This method is crucial for ensuring that health considerations are integrated into urban renewal projects without delaying the planning process.


Urban renewal projects have the potential to significantly influence community health by altering living environments, access to services, and social dynamics. However, these projects often proceed without adequately considering their health impacts, leading to unintended negative consequences. Given the increasing pressures of climate change, it is essential to incorporate health assessments into urban planning to create resilient and adaptable urban environments. Rapid HIA supports the development of climate-resilient urban environments by identifying potential health risks and opportunities early in the planning process, allowing for proactive mitigation and adaptation measures. By using Rapid HIA, planners can swiftly evaluate health impacts, ensuring that urban renewal projects contribute to healthier, more sustainable communities.


Participants will dive into the practicalities of conducting Rapid HIA in the context of urban renewal. The workshop will outline the streamlined approaches necessary for quick yet thorough health evaluations in dynamic urban settings. Key topics will include methods for gathering and assessing relevant health data and strategies for involving community members and other stakeholders within short time frames to ensure comprehensive and inclusive assessments.


The workshop will be highly interactive, featuring group discussions and hands-on exercises. Attendees will work through practical activities designed to simulate real-world scenarios, gaining hands-on knowledge of tools and techniques that ensure health considerations are swiftly and effectively integrated into urban planning processes. These activities will demonstrate how Rapid HIA can mitigate negative health impacts and enhance community well-being. By the end of the workshop, participants will be prepared to start applying Rapid HIA principles and methodologies to real-world projects and policy decisions, contributing to the development of healthier, more sustainable, and climate-resilient urban environments.