Our approach
Innovation challenges
Preventing chronic disease in cities starts with identifying and supporting promising solutions to these complex health challenges. Novo Nordisk has driven a range of innovation challenges, and now, Cities for Better Health is continuing this legacy.
Addressing health inequities in cities starts with identifying and supporting promising solutions that shape healthy, green and thriving neighbourhoods in urban settings. In April, Cities for Better Health and C40 Cities launched the Healthy Cities Challenge to transform impactful ideas into action. We received strong proposals from 33 countries around the world. Ten finalists advanced to the next challenge round and presented their proposals to an expert selection panel, resulting in three winners being selected.
Lead organisation: The GoDown Arts Centre
This project aims to revitalise a pedestrian route that connects commercial and residential neighbourhoods. The goal is to create multi-use, enjoyable public spaces and improve road safety along a section of Dunga Road using green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Additionally, the space will be activated through street fairs and cultural events, making the improvement zone a central gathering point for the surrounding local communities.
Health in focus
The project aims to enhance pedestrian and cycling areas to promote active mobility and increase physical activity. This will be achieved by introducing green elements such as potted trees and providing shade. Adding green spaces will help alleviate urban stress and provide mental health benefits.
Community and project legacy
The project strives to improve social interaction and promote community engagement by creating a lively and inclusive street environment. It will offer opportunities for cultural and artistic programs in public spaces to enrich the community's cultural life. The project team plans to work closely with the city government and hopes to expand these efforts to a three-kilometre section of road after a successful pilot phase.
Lead organisation: Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
This project aims to improve liveability in the Oswaldo Cruz neighbourhood, where sidewalks are too small to accommodate pedestrian traffic and excessive space allocated to cars contributes to a feeling of insecurity, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and older people. The absence of safe, well-maintained public spaces, poor walking and cycling conditions, insufficient urban greenery, and inadequate local services necessitates a holistic approach to urban revitalisation.
Health in focus
The project will tackle these challenges by implementing the principles of the 15-minute city concept to create a community where residents can fulfil most of their daily needs within a short walk or bike ride.
Improving the pathways connecting the train station to Madeureira Park will establish a sustainable corridor with high-quality walking and cycling routes. Furthermore, the project will promote physical activity by providing infrastructure for sports and encouraging active lifestyles.
Community and project legacy
The project proposes to increase vegetation and mitigate climate risks through community gardens and urban afforestation. These enhanced areas will create safe and multifunctional public spaces for the community and work to combat heat waves and flooding risks in the neighbourhood. Public areas will be revitalised with a focus on pedestrians and sustainable urban drainage, increasing bicycle travel, promoting non-polluting modes of transport, and increasing local agricultural production.
Lead organisation: Asociacion Sustentar
The project will enhance the impact of a weekly market that directly connects local producers with consumers, ensuring access to sustainable, healthy food. By collaborating with local grocery stores and restaurants, the project will establish a network of businesses dedicated to increasing access to healthy food.
The market will be brought to schools and community centres, and permanent community gardens will be established. A series of workshops on urban farming and healthy meal preparation will be conducted to promote sustainable and healthy practices in the community.
Health in focus
The project seeks to reduce health disparities and contribute to a healthier community by enhancing access to nutritious and affordable food options for vulnerable populations. This will increase access to sustainable and healthy products and encourage healthy eating habits beyond the weekly market.
Additionally, cooking workshops for parents and school staff will be conducted to have a more profound and lasting impact on family diets. The goal is to reduce food waste and lower meat consumption, which is traditionally high.
Community and project legacy
Two permanent neighbourhood gardens and composting systems will be established at schools or community centres. To boost community participation and foster stronger connections between stakeholders, a launch event will be held at the market to promote an inclusive, engaged community that shares a sense of belonging.
Watch the City Health Talk webinar to meet the winners and learn about their initiatives. The session was co-hosted by Jo Jewell, Director of Cities for Better Health, and Hélène Chartier, Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40. Access the recording here
Learn more about the winners here: https://www.citiesforbetterhealth.com/latest-news/healthy-cities-challenge-winners-are-announced.html
The global rise in chronic diseases is largely driven by a change in the environments we live in, notably lacking supportive factors for good health and well-being.
Cities are facing a climate and health inequity crisis due to outdated planning models, leading to fragmented food systems, polluted air, sedentary lifestyles, and poor access to nature, as well as lack of services, amenities and social cohesion, which all contribute to driving the global increase in chronic diseases.
Neighbourhood food environments heavily influence dietary habits for urban residents, while urban spaces impact physical activity levels. Transforming these environments to promote health and equipping individuals with the necessary skills and resources are key to promoting healthy lifestyles.
Unhealthy environments disproportionately impact underserved and marginalised populations, facing limited access to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity. Socioeconomic disparities exacerbate these challenges, underscoring the need for societal action to create inclusive, supportive environments for all to lead healthy lives.
Through the Healthy Cities Challenge, we support locally developed solutions that address these complex challenges.
1. Open call where participants can submit proposals for initiatives that create healthier environments in urban communities, with a focus on health equity. This can include projects that improve access to healthy, affordable food, shape urban spaces to promote physical activity and mental well-being, or other initiatives that facilitate healthy living in cities.
2. All submitted ideas proceeded through a review process by a panel of experts in public health, sustainability, urban design, community engagement and more.
3. Ten finalists are invited to refine their ideas and develop a final proposal with a budget, partnership letters of intent and results framework.
4. The refined ideas are re-submitted to the platform and pitched to the selection panel.
5. Three winners will be granted funding to implement their projects.
