About us
Our purpose
We aspire for equitable access to health-enabling natural and built environments; conspire with and equip partners across sectors; and inspire to shift and shape norms to health-proof the future of cities.
What if?
What if access to health-enabling, climate-resilient cities was the central guiding principle of all urban development?
What if every person and institution in cities acted as a custodian of the planet, equipped to optimise the health of people?
What if Africa and its youth led the way in reimagining cities for future-proofed health?
What evidence and skills are needed to support this?
These questions are at the heart of what we do, and our three-pronged pathway to impact:
We exist because…
Most factors that influence health lie outside of healthcare, but our health infrastructure is centred on healthcare and disease
Health and climate change are interlinked but action is siloed
We need a system for health: a new health infrastructure model that complements the existing healthcare model, integrating population health, sustainability and climate goals across sectors.
Our action is urgent
The future of urban is African. And the future of Africa is urban.
There is growing recognition of the need for integrated action on health and climate for development; and the need to focus on cities as they are where most greenhouse gases are emitted.
Health co-benefits can be achieved through climate mitigation if actions focus on improving air quality, making environments more conducive to physical activity and increasing access to healthy foods.
Africa is the most rapidly urbanising continent with the youngest population. It can and should lead in rethinking cities as spaces and places that proactively create health and climate resilience as part of sustainable urban development.
The future we envision includes:
Cities that drive an increased supply of health from place and a greater demand for healthy, climate-resilient environments.
Young people who play a critical role in decisions that shape the future of cities.
Data that informs advocacy, policy and practice solutions which centre health and climate resilience at the core of urban development.
