EFI Biocities new webinar series: healthy cities by nature on 3 June

EFI Biocities is launching a new webinar series exploring how cities can integrate nature into urban development. Bringing together leading international experts and examples from pioneering cities, the series aims to support policymakers, city administrations, urban planners and practitioners, researchers, and health professionals in creating more sustainable, resilient, and liveable cities.

The first webinar, Healthy cities by nature: integrating public health and the environment, will take place on 3 June (11:00–12:30 CEST) and will be led by Simone Borelli, EFI Biocities senior expert. It will look at how natural spaces support physical and mental wellbeing, and how cities can better reflect these benefits in policy and urban planning. Using examples from research, policy, and real cases from cities, the session will highlight how solutions can be adjusted to fit different local realities.

The session features:

• Mònica Ubalde (Researcher, ISGlobal, Barcelona), who will provide an urban health perspective on why nature should be integrated into city planning and public health strategies, connecting research, policy, and practice. She will highlight nature as a promoter of health and wellbeing through the Biocities principles, while reflecting on key urban challenges and European research projects exploring nature-based approaches for healthier and more resilient cities.
• Liisa Tyrväinen (Research Professor, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke), who will present Finland’s experience in linking nature with public health policy and social care.
• Päivi Sieppi (Environmental Advisory Manager, City of Lahti), who will present how Lahti is advancing planetary health through its environmental work. She will highlight concrete actions, including the Nature Step to Health programme, a 10-year initiative combining environmental and health objectives through collaboration with stakeholders, contributing to carbon neutrality, nature-positive development, and nature-based wellbeing.

Together, the speakers will demonstrate how to move from science to policy, and from policy to action at city level. The 90-minute session includes three presentations followed by a live Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.

This webinar targets professionals engaged in urban policy, planning, research, and health, who are interested in advancing healthier, sustainable, and more liveable cities.