Health Equity and the Built Environment Webinar Series

This three-session webinar series focuses on the concept that "place matters"—that the physical environment can protect against or exacerbate health inequities. The series centers on the intersection of design, planning, community development, and public health, as well as the consequences of different urban design approaches on health equity. It helps people "see" their surroundings and their relationship to health with new eyes, as well as provide resources and tools for increased participation of community leaders and “non-designer” professionals in the urban design process. The series aims to provide professionals and community leaders from relevant sectors with insights into how the built environment intersects with issues of safety, access to healthy lifestyles, and the overall physical, mental and emotional health of our communities. The webinars also provide participants with sample resources and steps on how to become engaged or engage others in the urban design process. The series is intended for community leaders and professionals in the fields of public health, healthcare, government, urban planning, design, transportation, education, and others.  

Source: Health Equity Initiative, supported by a grant of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and in partnership with the Gehl Institute. Strategies for Urban Designers to Engage Local Communities was moderated by Shin-Pei Tsay, MSc, and featured presentations by Glenn Ellis, MPH, CHCE; Renata Schiavo, PhD, MA, CCL; and Myrna Lezcano. Improving the Physical Environment to Advance Health Equity: Case Studies on Community Engagement was moderate by Friso van Reesema, MPH, and featured speakers Aisha Alexander; Sarah Ruel-Bergeron; and Katherine Thompson. How to See Health + Space: Urban Design for Non-Designers was moderated by Dr. Renata Schiavo, and webinar featured presentations, case studies, and experience by Julia D Day and Helen Leung.