The international Healthy Cities Challenge has chosen a project from the NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) for the list of ten finalists that stood out for their innovative ideas to create healthier, greener and more sustainable cities. The ‘Lisbon: City of Public Health 2025’ project envisages transforming the NSPH campus by creating a safe and accessible space for people to connect with nature and take part in various health promotion initiatives designed to improve physical and mental health, both at NOVA NSPH and in the local community.
The announcement of the list of ten finalists was made by Novo Nordisk and C40 Cities, as part of this initiative that challenges non-profit organisations and academic institutions to develop innovative ideas that contribute to creating healthier and more sustainable cities for all.
The project proposes creating an open and collaborative library, located outdoors, and a leisure circuit that encourages exercise and more sustainable mobility. The surrounding area offers visitors a range of resources and activities that contribute to their health and well-being while promoting the circular economy and enriching community life.
In this space, people will be encouraged, for example, to actively participate in planting activities, to bring (or take) a book to read, to take part in debates, to look after the urban space, to cook healthy meals, to practise physical activity, to grow aromatic herbs, or to prepare plant-based gifts. The library will also develop other associated activities such as bike rides, walking routes and a fitness area.
The initiative’s organisers received 90 proposals from 34 countries around the world. Among the 10 best ideas is the NOVA NSPH project, which aims to transform the Portuguese capital into a world reference in public health by 2025 and which was developed by Carolina Santos (project coordinator), Ana Gama, Sónia Dias, Susana Viegas and Isabel Andrade, who make up the Portuguese research team.
“The NOVA National School of Public Health has generated a lot of evidence in health promotion and disease prevention, being a reference in multiple projects and courses in this area. We believe that the role of academia should increasingly be to open up to society and to involve and transform communities. With ‘Lisbon: City of Public Health 2025’ we want to lead by example and transform the gardens of our campus into a place open to all, truly promoting and implementing innovative and positive health policies”, emphasised the director of NOVA NSPH, Sónia Dias.
According to Carolina Santos, “Lisbon is currently facing major public health challenges, including the prevention and management of chronic diseases (such as obesity and diabetes) and the promotion of mental health. There is an urgent need to reduce social inequalities in health and modernise health service infrastructures, so this pilot project is a response to these challenges and is in line with global trends to promote increasingly healthy and sustainable cities and integrated public health policies”.
The three best ideas will be announced in October and awarded a grant of 100,000 dollars, around 92,000 euros, from Novo Nordisk.