UrbanBetter Cityzens
Citizen scientists for planetary health.
Our vision: By 2030, all urban infrastructure projects in Africa will embed health and climate resilience principles in their design and implementation.
Africa’s population is young (median age 19.4 years) and rapidly urbanising. High rates of urban poverty and largely unplanned urban environments compromise wellbeing and are contributing to a rising burden of both infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Despite an urgent need for healthy urban environment to reverse this trajectory, the continent’s mostly unplanned urban development, coupled with unresponsive governance in growing cities, offer few opportunities for health creation and disease prevention, with most urban residents also experiencing environmental vulnerability.
These cities are dually characterised by rapidly growing informal settlements and increasing investment in new greenfield urban development initiatives, with a largely untapped opportunity to harness this rapid pace of change and the young population for sustainable urban health initiatives.
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The built, natural and food environments, which include air quality, access to healthy safe public space, walkable streets and access to healthy foods are determinants of active living and healthy eating, important risk factors for NCDs. But in Africa’s dynamic cities, there remains a disconnect between urban exposures and health, with inadequate methods to measure changes to these environments and, consequently, the impact of urban interventions on exposures that influence health. There is also a need for contextually relevant evidence and capacity to inform public and private decision making on urban infrastructure, development and planning for healthy sustainable cities.
We:
ASPIRE..
for an urban reality where access to health-enabling, climate-resilient environments in cities is the central guiding principle of all urban development.
INSPIRE..
through the use of participatory data on urban environments and health to inform activism, shape advocacy and guide prioritisation and accountability of the impact of urban infrastructure development on health.
CONSPIRE..
building a vibrant movement of citizen scientists across the African continent who are impatient for impact and relentlessly drive demand for healthy public spaces.
How do we do this?
The UrbanBetter Cityzens initiative aims to harness urban infrastructure and development for planetary health through the air we breathe, our spaces and places and the food we eat.
Progress
Our current campaign is CITYZENS FOR CLEAN AIR at the intersection of physical activity, built environment and air pollution.
[Read about the outcomes of the Cityzens4CleanAir project presented at the COP27 meeting in Egypt in November 2022].
We are working to build the citizen sensing infrastructure needed to generate data stories that
- augment and inform urban design for healthy climate resilient public spaces through evidence-informed activism and policy.
- support training of the next generation of transdisciplinary researchers using data generated by young people across the continent.
The Cityzens initiative is currently incubating in the UrbanBetter satellite studio at Innovation Africa @UP, a research investment platform that hosts and develops collaborative government-industry-university initiatives to address pan-African needs for sustainable development and economic growth.
We are actively seeking
- Partners who finance or design urban infrastructure projects to commit to health generating principles.
- Anchor funding and implementation partners for the 3 core elements of public space: air, built environment, food environment.
Follow us for updates & Get in touch to find out how you can support and contribute to this exciting innovative approach to making the urban better.
Appropriation of public space and urban infrastructure for leisure physical activity (ALPhA) -Second Lagos and Yaoundé stakeholder workshop reports
The research project “Informal Appropriation of Public Space for Leisure Physical Activity in Lagos and Yaoundé (ALPhA)”, led by the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the Universities of Lagos and Yaoundé, aims to re-imagine urban space for healthy, safe leisure physical activity in Lagos,
The other pandemic: social media engagement around non-communicable disease preventive behaviours during Nigeria’s COVID-19 lockdowns
Abstract Given the complexity of global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is typical for crisis-focused interventions to have a multiplicity of impacts. Some of these impacts may yield positive or negative externalities for health priorities that do not have the same perceived
A Systematic Review Protocol of Opportunities for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention via Public Space Initiatives in African Cities
Abstract Public spaces have the potential to produce equitable improvements in population health. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to understand the components of, determinants, risks, and outcomes associated with public space initiatives in African cities. This study will include quantitative and qualitative study designs that
Appropriation of public space and urban infrastructure for leisure physical activity (ALPhA)
-Lagos and Yaoundé stakeholder workshop reports
As part of the research project on Informal Appropriation of Public Space for Leisure Physical Activity in Lagos and Yaoundé, led by the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the Universities of Lagos and Yaoundé, the ALPhA research team hosted a first stakeholder workshop on
The urban environment and leisure physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a view from Lagos
In this commentary, we highlight five aspects of the ordinary – known interactions between urban environments and physical activity – that are amplified by the extraordinary – an unprecedented societal response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Using Lagos, Nigeria as a case study, we illustrate the possibility of re-thinking urban development and the potential for urban (re)form to address health inequalities in African megacities in the context of post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Other UrbanBetter projects you might be interested in…
Global Diet and Activity Research (GDAR)
The Global Diet and Activity Research Group and Network (GDAR) is funded through the NIHR Global Health Research initiative. The goal is to help prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancers, in low and middle income countries (LMICs).
Our work involves finding solutions that are affordable and created in partnership with local communities. GDAR builds on the expertise and knowledge of research in Cameroon, the Caribbean, Kenya, South Africa and the UK.
Integrating health into human settlements policy (LIRA study)
The LIRA study explores the knowledge, attitudes and practices of intersectoral collaboration between health and human settlements sectors among policymakers in Cape Town and Douala.
Using Cape Town, South Africa, and Douala, Cameroon, as case studies, this LIRA project (2018–2020), led by Tolullah Oni, seeks to develop a practical health and housing-integrated collaboration model that will improve urban policymaking and governance for the planning of African cities.
UrbanBetter project outputs
Empowering Words for Cleaner Skies from the CLEAN-Air Africa Network
The fourth annual International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (07 September 2023) focusses on the theme, ‘Together for Clean Air’. The theme aims to highlight the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and shared responsibility for overcoming air pollution. The CLEAN-Air Africa
Age-Friendly Public Spaces in African Cities: ISUH Africa Community of Practice Webinar Report
The Africa Community of Practice of the International Society for Urban Health hosted another webinar, on “Age-friendly Public Spaces in African Cities: Opportunities and Challenges”. This is part of the Urban Health in Africa Networking and Webinar Series held on 22nd June 2023. The speakers,
Safe public transport can support climate action and public health….Here’s how both governments and citizens can play a role
Olasumbo Olaniyi, UrbanBetter Disruptor and Cityzen, is an environmental advocate on a mission. She says: “My journey as an environmental advocate took a radical turn when I began to work with the team at UrbanBetter. It made me more sensitive to my environment and overall
Citizen science insights on air quality in 3 cities
The Cityzens for Clean Air campaign, part of the UrbanBetter Cityzens initiative, aims to amplify youth voices with advocacy on air pollution, climate and health using citizen scientist data generated by young people. The report is based on PM2.5 and NO2 air quality data collected
Urban Health Data in Africa and Latin America: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities – ISUH Community of Practice Webinar Report
Hosted by the Africa Community of Practice of the International Society for Urban Health, the webinar “Urban Health Data in Africa and Latin America: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities”, is part of the Urban Health in Africa Webinar Series and was held on 23rd February 2023.
Urban Health Data in Africa and Latin America: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities -ISUH Africa Community of Practice webinar
Hosted by the Africa Community of Practice of the International Society for Urban Health, the webinar “Urban Health Data in Africa and Latin America: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities”, is part of the Urban Health in Africa Webinar Series and will be held on 23rd February
Air Of Excitement 
In this blog #UrbanBetter Disruptor, Waziri Mainasara Abubakar writes about his recent visit to a park in Lagos and what he discovered about the air quality at the park. “We spoke and he’ll be more than delighted to host you guys. He said to me that he
An Activist Architect Advocating for Healthy Public Spaces
On the 25th of September 2022, Lagos held its first ever Car-Free day. To commemorate this event, Cityzens4CleanAir Run Leaders organised and led a run through the streets of Lagos, using the opportunity to advocate for clean air and healthy public spaces. We asked #UrbanBetter Disruptor, Olasumbo Olaniyi,
Appropriation of public space and urban infrastructure for leisure physical activity (ALPhA) -Second Lagos and Yaoundé stakeholder workshop reports
The research project “Informal Appropriation of Public Space for Leisure Physical Activity in Lagos and Yaoundé (ALPhA)”, led by the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the Universities of Lagos and Yaoundé, aims to re-imagine urban space for healthy, safe leisure physical activity in Lagos,
Advancing participatory air quality management for urban health in Lagos:
Inaugural knowledge sharing and co-creation workshop
Air pollution – largely from industrial sources, motor vehicles, burning biomass and desert dust – kills more Africans than unsafe water, unsafe sanitation or childhood malnutrition, with significant implications for human development. Despite this, air quality monitoring remains inadequate across most of the continent. This highlights the
Urban Health Governance -ISUH Africa Community of Practice webinar report
The second webinar hosted by the Africa Community of Practice of the ISUH on the 28th of April 2022 centered around “Urban Health Governance”. This was a sequel to the inaugural webinar which is part of the Urban Health in Africa Webinar Series. The speakers
The other pandemic: social media engagement around non-communicable disease preventive behaviours during Nigeria’s COVID-19 lockdowns
Abstract Given the complexity of global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is typical for crisis-focused interventions to have a multiplicity of impacts. Some of these impacts may yield positive or negative externalities for health priorities that do not have the same perceived
Urban Health Governance -ISUH Africa Community of Practice webinar
Hosted by the Africa Community of Practice of the International Society for Urban Health, the webinar, centred around “Urban Health Governance”, is part of the Urban Health in Africa Webinar Series and will be held on 28th April 2022. The speakers will include actors from
Pairing Academia and Policy for Transdisciplinary Research in Africa – Inaugural webinar of the ISUH Africa Community of Practice
The inaugural webinar of the Africa Community of Practice of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) – “Pairing academia and policy for transdisciplinary research in Africa” – was held on the 2nd December 2021. The event brought together over 30 scholars, government and non-government
A Systematic Review Protocol of Opportunities for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention via Public Space Initiatives in African Cities
Abstract Public spaces have the potential to produce equitable improvements in population health. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to understand the components of, determinants, risks, and outcomes associated with public space initiatives in African cities. This study will include quantitative and qualitative study designs that
Appropriation of public space and urban infrastructure for leisure physical activity (ALPhA)
-Lagos and Yaoundé stakeholder workshop reports
As part of the research project on Informal Appropriation of Public Space for Leisure Physical Activity in Lagos and Yaoundé, led by the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with the Universities of Lagos and Yaoundé, the ALPhA research team hosted a first stakeholder workshop on
Integrating health in human settlements
Health through human settlements: Investigating policymakers’ perceptions of human settlement action for population health improvement in urban South Africa.
The urban environment and leisure physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a view from Lagos
In this commentary, we highlight five aspects of the ordinary – known interactions between urban environments and physical activity – that are amplified by the extraordinary – an unprecedented societal response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Using Lagos, Nigeria as a case study, we illustrate the possibility of re-thinking urban development and the potential for urban (re)form to address health inequalities in African megacities in the context of post-COVID-19 pandemic.
A participatory approach to building a coalition of health and planning sector urban actors in Africa-a Douala case-study
Developing a participatory approach to building a coalition of transdisciplinary actors for healthy urban planning in African cities – a case study of Douala, Cameroon
RICHE | Africa Workshop On Healthy Cities Report: Intersectoral Approaches To Non-Communicable Disease Prevention In Africa
Living in cities can create an urban advantage. They can give residents better access to opportunities such as employment and education, social connections, and services such as healthcare. But, rather than experiencing an urban advantage, residents of African cities are more familiar with an urban
RICHE | Africa Workshop On Healthy Cities: Intersectoral Approaches To Non-Communicable Disease Prevention In Africa
The “Healthy Cities: Intersectoral approaches to non-communicable disease prevention in Africa” workshop presented the opportunity to collaboratively identify opportunities to promote health and wellbeing and prevent non-communicable diseases in African cities through investments that support active living and healthy diets. Workshop participants were policy, civil
Integrating health into human settlements policy (LIRA study)
Using Cape Town, South Africa, and Douala, Cameroon, as case studies, this LIRA project (2018–2020), led by Tolullah Oni, seeks to develop a practical health and housing-integrated collaboration model that will improve urban policymaking and governance for the planning of African cities. The project brings together academic and non-academic stakeholders representing a range of expertise: public health, health geography, urban planning, and demography. The project contributes to SDG 3 and SDG 11.
A Systematised Review of the Health Impact of Urban Informal Settlements and Implications for Upgrading Interventions in South Africa, a Rapidly Urbanising Middle-Income Country
Informal settlements are becoming more entrenched within African cities as the urban population continues to grow. Characterised by poor housing conditions and inadequate services, informal settlements are associated with an increased risk of disease and ill-health. However, little is known about how informal settlement upgrading impacts health over time. A systematised literature review was conducted to explore existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the association between informal settlement characteristics and health and the impact of informal settlement upgrading on health, within South Africa, an upper-middle-income African country.
