Summit Publication

Report International Urban Health Summit 2025
April 9–11, Herrenhausen Palace, Hanover

Urban health is one of the defining challenges of our time. As cities grow and transform under the pressure of global change, the health and well-being of urban populations require new, integrated approaches across sectors and disciplines.

From April 9 to 11, 2025, the first International Urban Health Summit in this format took place at Herrenhausen Palace in Hanover. Organized by the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW), in cooperation with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), and supported by the Volkswagen Foundation, the summit brought together over 300 participants from 34 countries—researchers, decision-makers, civil society actors, and international organizations.

The summit aimed to create a space for open dialogue on how cities can become healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable places to live. Key topics included urban planning and governance, environmental and mental health, climate change, AI, and the role of education, arts, and culture. Special emphasis was placed on interdisciplinary exchange, scientific evidence, and inclusive participation—especially of early-career researchers and local practitioners.

Urban health was not framed as a narrow medical issue, but as a complex societal challenge that intersects with policy, infrastructure, democracy, and everyday life. Cultural and creative perspectives were not treated as add-ons, but as essential parts of the solution.

The summit’s core message: Healthy cities require shared responsibility, scientific insight, and collaborative action.

This report offers deeper insight into the summit's discussions and outcomes - and a vision for moving forward - DOWNLOAD HERE