We want to jointly develop and implement solutions for the challenges of urban health.

Over 4.4 billion people worldwide live in urban areas: The urban population is expected to grow to 6.7 billion by 2050, accounting for 70 per cent of the world's population. The speed and scale of urbanisation bring social and environmental challenges with a profound impact on health and well-being. Socially and economically disadvantaged citizens will be particularly effected. The complexity of urban life is a barrier to the overall enhancement of urban health. Therefore, it is important that scientists, economists, and politicians work together to develop strategies for the future well-being and health of residents that take into account people’s differing needs.

As part of the project, the International Urban Health Summit will take place from 9 to 11 April 2025 at Herrenhausen Palace in Hanover, Germany. International experts, young scientists, political decision-makers, heads of non-governmental organisations, interested citizens (initiatives) and pupils will come together to engage in dialogue. The aim is to discuss together how the global network of national science academies can contribute to developing and implementing solutions to the challenges of urban health. Topics such as nutrition, sport, mobility, climate, mental health, architecture, art and culture and many more will be taken into account.

A project of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) in cooperation with InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.