WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Urban Environments at the University of the West of England promotes healthy and sustainable settlements through research, teaching, consultancy, knowledge exchange and publications. It works closely with municipalities, planning consultancies and health authorities in the UK, as well as with the wider WHO European Healthy Cities network.

The WHO Collaborating Centre specialises in supporting communities, organisations and professionals who want to create healthier places. It undertakes research and provides advice and training in the fields of healthy urban planning and sustainable neighbourhoods and collaborative decision processes needed to support stakeholders in these fields. It has developed a range of resources and tools such as participatory health impact assessment and healthy planning audits for local authorities.

The WHO Centre is unique amongst collaborating centres in Europe in being based in an environment faculty rather than a health faculty.

Situated in the largest higher education planning school in the UK, the centre has also established itself nationally in promoting better understanding of the interlocked nature of health and planning. It has a strong track record of working with national, regional and local interests from both traditions.

The Centre is at the core of the UWE Institute for Sustainability, Health and Environment and works closely with relevant experts across the university.