Building bridges: Sustainable Urban Health in Hamburg, 2018

Abstract

Abstract Issue With most humans, globally, now living in cities, “Urban Health” receives increasing attention. For sustainably securing and promoting human health in the urban setting, a multitude of urban systems, fierce dynamics, and systemic interactions need to be considered. The goal is to provide an integrative view of Sustainable Urban Health (SUH), i.e. capturing the “forest” instead of merely the “trees”. How is this possible, and what insights can be derived? A theory-based SUH approach, starting out from the Human ecology perspective, provides a framework which is compatible with WHO’s Healthy Cities approach. Methods Methods used include literature searches and managed cooperation, proceeding from a model exercise (published paper) to a full-scale book publication, thus building bridges across disciplines and societal sectors. Results As for results, there is a comprehensive account of Hamburg SUH, including history, health status, governance, health care, rehabilitation, prevention and health promotion, “health in all policies” (e.g. economics, housing, mobility), and current integrative community projects. 100 authors delivered c.70 contributions. Activities around “health” are shown to constitute a remarkable element of urban culture, with room for improvement, e.g. concerning quality assurance on a systems level; more focus on sustainability (incl. environmental impact and overall future-proofing); and safeguarding relevant sources as a “collective memory”. To take the issue forward in civic society, one venerable Hamburg NGO (founded in 1765) now established a SUH working group. Conclusions The intensity and diversity as well as certain catch-up needs of SUH in a European metropolis are demonstrated. This “no regrets” approach meets with interest also in civic society. Once it is applied in multiple cities, innovative concepts and efforts can be compared easily, and get locally adjusted, for further strengthening SUH. Key messages Sustainable Urban Health (SUH), based on Human ecology, is an integrative “no regrets” approach and can cooperatively be applied anywhere, informing and guiding professionals and civic society. Even where activities around “health” constitute a remarkable element of urban culture, there is room for improvement, e.g. quality assurance on systems level, and more focus on sustainability.