Supporting and enhancing the provision of quality green infrastructure in urban areas for health benefits

A large proportion of global mortality is due to chronic diseases that are attributable to health risks related to the urban built environment, such as physical inactivity and obesity, transport-generated urban air pollution, household biomass energy use, indoor air pollution, and heat stress. Well planned and designed green infrastructure, through offering a wide range of ecosystem services, can contribute to healthy urban living and climate change adaptation. Numerous studies reported findings that generally supported the view that green space has positive impacts on health and well-being. This project's objective is to support and enhance the provision of quality green infrastructure in urban areas for their health benefits. Based on the experiences exchanged and the good practices identified the URBACT Local Groups will create integrated Health Responsive Green Infrastructure Action Plans for the involved cities. The action plans will include measures supporting planning, design, and maintenance of green infrastructure; measures targeting social activities; as well as various policy instruments (e.g. market-based instruments, regulatory instruments) targeting urban green infrastructure interventions. Cities will exchange policy challenges and share experiences, problems and possible solutions related to four KEY THEMES: 1. Heat stress 2. Air quality and noise 3. General impacts on physical and mental health 4. Lifestyles, social function, physical activities