By Crystal Keyamo
This October, a dedicated team from the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) and the City of Saint John will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, to participate in an exciting workshop focused on urban health policy. Hosted by 8 80 Cities, a Toronto-based non-profit, this event aims to inspire cities worldwide to adopt innovative approaches for healthier, more sustainable urban environments.
The workshop, part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Healthy Cities Research Initiative, will provide participants with a unique opportunity to learn from Copenhagen’s successful integration of health and mobility into urban planning. The Danish capital is renowned for its bike-friendly streets and green spaces, making it an ideal model for cities looking to enhance their urban health policies.
Leading the Saint John team is Dr. Trevor Hanson, a civil engineering professor at UNB and coordinator of the Community Transportation Research Lab. He will be joined by Dr. Jennifer Russell, executive director of the Institute of Population Health at UNB, along with Mayor Donna Reardon, traffic engineer Jillian DeMerchant, and community planning manager Jennifer Kirchner.
Dr. Hanson is particularly excited about the workshop’s potential to reshape Saint John’s urban landscape. “Learning from Copenhagen’s successes can help us develop strategies that not only enhance mobility but also improve overall well-being in our community,” he shared.
Mayor Reardon echoed this sentiment, highlighting the city’s commitment to innovative urban planning. “We are dedicated to creating a city that prioritizes the health and happiness of its residents. This workshop is a valuable opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading cities in urban health policy,” she said with optimism.
UNB’s involvement in international workshops focused on urban health is not new. The university has previously participated in various global initiatives, including a memorable workshop in Melbourne, Australia. There, they collaborated with local and international experts to develop strategies for integrating health considerations into urban planning. These experiences have equipped UNB with valuable insights and practical knowledge that they bring to each new engagement.
The initiative, titled “Quantifying Benefits of Local Active Transportation Investments: A Collaborative Health and Engineering Approach to Mobilize on Healthy Urban Policy,” aims to measure and communicate the health benefits of active transportation enhancements in Saint John.
Teams from Montreal, Toronto, and Burnaby will also attend, bringing diverse perspectives and challenges to the table. This collaborative effort highlights the potential of urban design and policy to create healthier, more connected communities across Canada.
As the Saint John delegation prepares for this workshop, there is hope that the insights gained can also be applied to nearby Fredericton, enhancing its own urban health initiatives. By adopting successful strategies from Copenhagen, both cities can work toward creating healthier, more sustainable environments that promote active living and well-being for their residents. The collaboration between Saint John and Fredericton can serve as a model for inter-city partnerships, fostering a regional commitment to innovative urban planning that benefits all New Brunswick communities.
