Green and open public spaces are essential to fostering the health and well-being of urban areas and their communities. Thoughtfully designed and well-maintained, these spaces encourage physical activity, support mental health, promote social cohesion, and enhance community engagement. Moreover, public spaces play a pivotal role in reducing air pollution, improving urban quality of life, delivering economic benefits, and advancing ecological sustainability.
Published by UN-Habitat, the report examines the vital connection between public spaces and healthier cities, offering a comprehensive resource for urban planners, local authorities, and municipal governments. It introduces the topic by highlighting the integration of public spaces and health within global agendas, underlining their synergistic impact. The report details seven strategic approaches championed by UN-Habitat to improve health outcomes through public space interventions and concludes with five actionable recommendations to guide the implementation of these strategies effectively.
Download the Healthier Cities and Communities Through Public Spaces report.
Number of pages 21
Publication date 2025
Further reading:
Read Getting public space right: transforming society from the ground up essay by Laura Valdés Cano, Head of Policy, Metropolis
Visit the use: topic page on Public Space
Call to Action:
The use platform is seeking more content on Public Space initiatives. We invite interested citymakers and local governments to contribute:
- case studies
- recommendations for publications, reports or other useful resources for our use picks format.
- announcements for events, conferences, awards and other ongoing activities for save the date in our bi-weekly Community News.
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