Back to Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions
University of Copenhagen

Urbanisation and Health - Promoting Sustainable Solutions

More than half of world’s population lives in cities while only 5% did so in the 18th century. The rapid urbanisation has resulted in for example inadequate infrastructure, physical inactivity, gentrification, air pollution, and growing numbers of slum dwellers. All factors challenging health and wellbeing of the people living in the cities. In addition, when addressing climate change it has become of paramount importance to look at mitigation and adaptation investments tailored to the urban context. As stated in the Sustainable Development Goal 11 adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, societies need to be at the forefront in the continuous management and design of urban spaces to secure that cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. In this course, you will learn about the key determinants of urban health including demography, climate change, air pollution, noise, transport systems, public and blue and green spaces, and policies and investments affecting sense of community and public safety. You will get a historical overview of the major trends in urban planning and meet a range of stakeholders in urban planning who will provide examples of innovative methods and people-centered approaches to create sustainable solutions. Finally, you will be provided with a series of resources to inspire you to help create awareness and action around an idea or sustainable solution in the field of urbanisation and health. The course has been developed (with support from EIT Health) in a partnership between the University of Copenhagen, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and University of Coimbra. Researchers and stakeholders in urban planning will introduce you to cases from cities in Denmark, Spain, Portugal and many other urban settings across the world. The aim of the course is to further interdisciplinary knowledge on urbanisation and health. We plan for the courses to reach citizens and activists as well planners, practitioners and decision-makers with a professional interest in sustainable urban planning from countries around the world.

Status: Demography
Status: Public Health
Course26 hours

Featured reviews

RN

5.0Reviewed Jun 28, 2022

Grateful for this fulfilling journey in such a noble field!

AE

5.0Reviewed Dec 6, 2024

Not only it taught me new things, but inspired me and gave me new ideas for future projects. Amazing work!

TB

4.0Reviewed Nov 17, 2021

The course is really good. I wish there was some type of written assignment where we could apply our learning

NH

5.0Reviewed Jul 8, 2022

The course was excellent, added a lot of information to my previous knowledge. I thank all the professors and producers of this course.

MM

5.0Reviewed Dec 5, 2021

Wonderful course to be learnt, u will have an exposure of factors effecting health and its dynamics of sustainability.

II

5.0Reviewed May 7, 2022

Very instilling. good lecturing skills, vast knowledge . i just loved . Practical approaches and well structured questions and dicussions

KK

4.0Reviewed Jul 25, 2024

This platform is easy to learn. thank you to Coursera.

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