Urban Health Conference, Graphik © U-care Project, 2026
Urban Health Conference
Shaping Healthy and Climate Responsive Cities
Berlin, 2 October 2026 — As European cities continue to experience the growing impacts of climate change, the need for innovative, evidence-based, and inclusive urban solutions has become more urgent than ever. The U-CARE Conference will bring together leading experts, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to discuss how urban environments can be transformed to better support human health, sustainability, and resilience.
The conference will take place on Friday, 2 October 2026, from 14:00 to 19:00 at BHROX bauhaus reuse, Ernst-Reuter-Platz, Mittelinsel, U-2 Station Ernst-Reuter-Platz, 10587 Berlin. Held in English, the event will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and dialogue among professionals working at the intersection of architecture, urban planning, environmental health, public policy, and research.
The event marks the successful completion of the Erasmus+ U-CARE project, presenting its key achievements, methodologies, and tools developed to support healthier and more climate-resilient urban environments across Europe. By connecting research, education, policy, and practice, U-CARE aims to strengthen collaboration between disciplines and empower future generations of urban professionals to address complex urban health challenges.
The conference will open with a welcome address by Technische Universität Berlin, followed by an introduction to the U-CARE project, presenting its consortium, objectives, and European context. Participants will gain insights into the project’s interdisciplinary approach and its contribution to the development of sustainable urban strategies.
The programme will continue with keynote presentations exploring the relationship between climate change, urban ecosystems, and human health. The first keynote session, “The Impact of Climate Change on Urban Ecosystems and Health,” will examine the increasing challenges cities face due to environmental changes and the importance of integrated approaches to urban resilience.
A central part of the conference will focus on the transition “From Research to Practice: The U-CARE Approach,” presenting case studies and the UrbanCare methodology developed through the project. This session will demonstrate how research-based knowledge can support practical solutions for healthier urban environments.
Participants will also discover the practical resources created through U-CARE, including the U-CARE training modules, the U-CARE platform, and the U-CARE Guide. These tools are designed to support education, capacity building, and professional practice in the fields of urban design, environmental health, and sustainable development.
Following a networking coffee break, the conference will highlight the impact of U-CARE and its contribution to climate mitigation, research advancement, urban practice, policy engagement, dissemination, and outreach. Discussions will showcase how the project’s results can continue to support collaboration between academic institutions, public authorities, and local communities.
A special highlight of the event will be the keynote lecture by Prof. Jacob van Rijs, co-founder of MVRDV, who will present “Design Strategies for Healthier Architecture.” The session will explore innovative architectural approaches and the role of design in creating spaces that promote well-being, adaptability, and environmental responsibility.
The final part of the programme will encourage active participation through discussion groups and a roundtable session addressing urban transformation, academic collaboration, and future design opportunities. These conversations will provide a space for participants to exchange perspectives and identify new pathways for collaboration beyond the project’s duration.
The conference welcomes a diverse audience, including urban designers, architects, public health experts, environmental health officers, public sector managers, policymakers, teachers and researchers, students, and citizens interested in urban health and environmental issues.
Conference Programme Highlights
13:30 – 14:00
Registration
14:00 – 14:30
Welcome by Technische Universität Berlin
Introduction to the U-CARE Project: Consortium, Objectives and European Context
14:30 – 15:00
Keynote Session: The Impact of Climate Change on Urban Ecosystems and Health
15:00 – 15:45
From Research to Practice: The U-CARE Approach
Case Studies and the UrbanCare Methodology
15:45 – 16:30
U-CARE Tools
Training Modules, the U-CARE Platform and the U-CARE Guide
16:30 – 17:00
Coffee Break
17:00 – 17:30
The U-CARE Impact
Contributions to Climate Mitigation, Research and Urban Practice, Capacity Building, Policy Engagement, Dissemination and Outreach
17:30 – 18:00
Keynote Lecture by Prof. Jacob van Rijs
Design Strategies for Healthier Architecture
18:00 – 18:30
Participatory Activity and Discussion Groups
Urban Transformation, Academic Collaboration and Design Opportunities
18:30 – 19:00
Roundtable Discussion
19:00 onwards
Aperitif and networking
Through dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of expertise, the U-CARE Final Conference will contribute to the ongoing European conversation on how cities can become healthier, more inclusive, and better prepared for the challenges of climate change.
Registration for the conference is open to all interested participants.
