Networks and cities' news

Suceava Municipality: Green vision in "One Health 4 Cities" mission

Located in the Bukovina region in the northeast of Romania, 450 km from the capital Bucharest, Suceava is a city of 84,322 people (2022), according to 2022 last data provided by the National Institute of Statistics. Suceava municipality is the residence of Suceava County, known as a land of monasteries, considering that the churches with the exterior painting in the area enjoy a worldwide fame, 8 of them being included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.  In the past years the city has been keen to attract foreign investment and is undergoing major renovation to improve the quality of life of its citizens, to boost its potential for tourism and as a base for new industries. 

Nowadays, Suceava municipality is aware that urban health reflects the outcomes of the physical and the social environment that impact residents’ and communities’ well-being and quality of life, within an urban setting. The challenge is to bring people to spend more time in nature, be more active and develop an environmental consciousness, including promoting healthier transportations alternatives. 

To ensure a safe, healthy future Suceava Municipality is committed to restore forest habitat. Green Vision focusses on investing in preserving existing forests and in reforestation. This can certainly help slow the climate change, and provide many benefits to both humans and the environment in the short and long term as trees purify our air and combat climate change,  provide housing to millions of species that protect us from disease, cool our streets and cities, protect against floods and water pollution and ease the mind during stressful time.

Insights and Future Pathways: The One Health 4 Cities Network

The One Health 4 Cities Network, a URBACT IV Action Planning Network, unites nine cities to integrate the One Health approach—connecting human, animal, and environmental health—into urban strategies and projects. Guided by the City of Lyon, the network fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovative urban practices to enhance the well-being of all.

One Health 4 Cities has successfully completed its planning phase. The year 2024 marked a transformative period for the nine-partner network, bringing a wealth of learnings and exchanges on diverse topics surrounding the One Health approach. This article provides an overview of the key activities performed, insights gained and outlines the future directions for the network.

Cities Commitment for Global Health - Lyon

Cities Commitment for Global Health - Lyon 

CALL FOR ACTION: One/Planetary Health Approach for a Sustainable Future

The One Health 4 Cities network, in collaboration with its partners, is urging EU institutions to accelerate and strengthen the integration of the One Health approach into their policies.

The vision of the city of Kuopio – to become a capital of good life where one health approach is adapted in all policies and among all citizens

Kuopio is the 8th largest city in Finland, and in Eastern Finland, it is a central city with the population of 124 000. According to the international survey, Finland has been rated as the happiest country of the world. According to the national Finnish survey, the citizens of Kuopio rate themselves as happy more often than in other cities. More needs to be explored for the determinants of happiness in Kuopio, but there is no doubt the closeness of nature - lakes, forests and parks - and an easy access to nature is one of the answers to our happiness rates, as several surveys have indicated.  Of Kuopio’s area (4 326 km2) half is covered by forest and one forth consists of lakes. The Puijo forest, a large Natura 2000 protected recreational area is located right next to the city centre and the city is surrounded by the lake Kallavesi. It is no wonder several nature based wellbeing promotion services has been developed and implemented in Kuopio with good results. Kuopio is proud to be a forerunner in implementing nature-based solutions. Nevertheless, there is more to be done to enhance human, nature and animal health in Kuopio.  

Urban harmony : Promote Planetary Health and One Health for a sustainable future