Patricia Vicente Sáenz de Juano

Cities are shaped not only by infrastructure, but by the people who sustain them. When urban development overlooks women’s contributions—particularly essential care work—it reinforces inequality and weakens social wellbeing and resilience. Advancing women’s meaningful participation and integrating gender-responsive approaches into urban planning and decision-making are therefore essential to building inclusive, liveable and resilient cities.

Future Urban Health Culture calls for a shift from designing livable cities to creating places that actively support human health and societal resilience. This requires a new planning mindset—more interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral, and holistic—where health, sustainability, equity, and quality of life are addressed together. By balancing the needs of people with broader societal agendas, we can shape a shared vision for healthier, more future-ready cities.