The Health and Cities Cluster is a collaborative and interdisciplinary initiative to create a platform for academic researcher and public engagement exploring the ways in which cities impact human health. Drawing from a range of fields, including public health, social work, urban planning and design, architecture, nursing, and more, the cluster addresses some of the most pressing health challenges of our time.

Some of the topics relevant to the Health and Cities Cluster are:

• How cities can support an aging population, helping people to remain integrated and independent as they age.

• The dual role of cities in climate change. Cities are both significant contributors to climate change and a critical environment for responding to natural disasters, particularly heat waves.

• The impact of infectious diseases in cities, and the role that cities play in preventing their spread.

• Shaping cities to prioritize health and well-being through urban planning and policy aimed at reducing pollution, facilitating health eating and exercise, and fostering community.

• The impact and inequities of housing and neighbourhoods on health.  

With some of the highest life expectancy in the world, Hong Kong is an exemplary city for research in health and cities. The city’s integrated public health system, high population density, and compact urban design make it a unique environment for studying the effects of urbanization on health. These features make it ideal for researching the impact of health policies and interventions, and a model for other countries looking to improve their own health policies and practices.