Lecture series on health in the city

Scientists from all over the world are taking part in a series of accessible lectures aiming to find answers to the question ‘How can we make city life healthier?’. The Healthy Urban Living team of researchers have organised the lectures in association with Studium Generale as part of Utrecht University’ strategic theme Sustainability. Guests include national and international speakers who are all leaders in their field. The series kicks off 15 September, 2015 at 20:00 in the Academy Building.

Seventy percent

About seventy percent of the world‘s population is expected to live within a city in 2050. Cities are not well known for healthy living: skyscrapers, smog and traffic jams cause poor air quality, and fast food chains offer unhealthy temptations at bus or tram stops on every street corner. How can the city be organised so that people can opt for healthier alternatives instead of the unhealthy ones freely available? And walk carefree breathing in fresh air outdoors? Programme Coordinator Prof. Dr. Martin Dijst says: “Cities are breeding grounds for both healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. We aim to find out how to make urban life healthier.”

Fit in the City

During the series of lectures top scientists from home and abroad will outline various scenarios, both ideal and doom, that examine urban issues in relation to health and wellbeing based on their own research. Prof. Terry Huang (Public Health, City University of New York) and Prof. Dr. Hans Brug (Epidemiology, University of Amsterdam) will kick the series off with their lecture Fit in the City. Can we administer public space so that it invites people to run or ride their bike to work?

More information

See the website for more information on Healthy Urban Living. For more information about the lectures, speakers, dates and locations see the Studium Generale website. The lectures are free of charge, and accessible without reservations.

For questions, please contact prof. dr. Martin Dijst or dr. Maartje Poelman.

Perfect science today, a healthy city tomorrow

Sustainability at Utrecht University

By combining its expertise in the field of sustainability, Utrecht University develops integrated solutions for sustainability issues contributing to a better future for following generations. This theme connects Utrecht’s excellent sustainability research from the humanities, sciences and social sciences with a focus on water, energy and a healthy environment. Sustainability is one of the four strategic research themes at Utrecht University.

More information on the research theme Sustainability