Public Space as a Catalyst for Improved Mental Health

UCLG Committee on Urban Strategic Planning

Interpretation EN – ES – FR – KO

What is the city’s role in ensuring equitable access to public spaces that improve overall public and mental health? This session will put a spotlight on public spaces as key determinants of mental health and wellbeing, and discuss the impact of limited or inaccessible spaces to human and ecological health. Coupled with the recent release of the “Integrating Health in Urban and Territorial Planning Sourcebook”, the session aims to create closer linkages between planning and health professionals at the city level to evaluate the basic elements of improved mental health and how cities can assist in addressing them via public space.

• Mxolisi Kaunda, Mayor of eThekwini-Durban, Co-Chair of the Urban Strategic Planning Committee
• Jorge Alberto Giorno, Mayor of Buenos Aires, Co-Chair of the Urban Strategic Planning Committee
• Luisa Bravo, City Space Architecture
• Puven Akkiah, Senior Manager: Integrated Development Planning, eThekwini Municipality
• Javier González, Technical coordinator of the El Barranco Municipal Foundation, Cuenca
• Patricia Mancuello, Coordinator of International Relations and Training of the Unit of Training in Urban Strategies and City Networks, Buenos Aires
• Ayanda Roji, Head of Research and Knowledge Management, Parks and Zoo Agency, City of Johannesburg
• Emil Dardak, Vice Governor of East Java