How does the environment we live in affect our health? And how can we design cities to better support the wellbeing of their residents?
These were the questions we explored during the visit of JA PreventNCD experts in Rybnik.
Nowadays, around 75% of European Union residents live in cities and urban areas, and this share is expected to rise to 78% by 20501 . Cities are hubs of development and innovation, but they also come with numerous health challenges – such as air pollution, noise, physical inactivity, and social isolation. These factors increase the risk of non‑communicable diseases.
At the same time, urban spaces offer significant opportunities to improve health and quality of life. Urban greenery, nature‑based solutions, and pedestrian‑friendly areas can reduce environmental stressors, encourage physical activity, and strengthen social connections. The key challenge, however, is ensuring that such benefits are accessible to all residents equally.
That is why, on 13-14 April, the Regional Education Centre in Rybnik hosted a visit from JA PreventNCD representatives from the University of Rennes in France and the University of Turin in Italy, carried out as part of Work Package 6 – Healthy Living Environment. The City of Rybnik, together with Rennes and Turin, is participating in the testing of two tools supporting urban environment planning, which were piloted during the visit. The meeting was organised and hosted by Monika Kubisz on behalf of the City of Rybnik and brought together all Polish project partners. The Medical University of Silesia was represented by Katarzyna Brukało, PhD, Assoc. Prof. at the Medical University of Silesia and Anna Rogalska, MD.
The meeting was attended by experts Anne Roué Le Gall and Virginie Loizeau from the University of Rennes (France) and Andrej Čikvari from the University of Turin (Italy). Numerous representatives of the Rybnik City Hall and its organisational units also participated, including the Department of Social Policy, the City Development Department, the Department of Digitalisation and New Technologies, the Centre for Sustainable Urban Development, the Municipal Greenery Authority, the Municipal Urban Planning Department, the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre, and the Social Welfare Centre. The event also brought together representatives of the Health and Social Policy Comission of the Rybnik City Council, the Rybnik Seniors’ Council, and the Water and Sewage Company. Additionally, representatives of the City of Zabrze and the Foundation for Natural Development took part in the meeting.
On the first day, the My Green Space tool was presented. It is designed to assess the impact of green areas on the health of city residents. The tool makes it possible to collect and analyse data on urban green spaces and their health‑promoting potential. It also allows the visualisation of how these areas are distributed across the city and to what extent they address different health needs of the population. In practice, this means that local governments will be able to plan the development of parks, squares, and other green areas more effectively – not only by increasing their number, but also by improving their quality and functionality.
During the meeting, it was emphasised that what matters is not only the presence of green spaces, but also their accessibility and attractiveness. Accessibility includes, for example, convenient transport connections, a sufficient number of entry points, and infrastructure adapted to the needs of different users. Attractiveness relates to elements such as safety, cleanliness, lighting, and the availability of basic amenities. The tool was presented by Anne Roué Le Gall and Virginie Loizeau, and then tested in Adam Fudali Park in Rybnik. Participants also visited the historic Ignacy Mine – an example of a successful transformation of a post‑industrial site.
On the second day, Andrej Čikvari from the University of Turin presented the Nature‑Based Solutions for Healthy Urban Environments (NBS4HUE) tool. It supports the selection of nature‑based solutions tailored to specific local conditions. The tool was designed for urban planners, local authorities, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in city development. It enables the analysis and comparison of different solutions, taking into account their impact on health, the environment, and the quality of life of residents.
It is important to note that NBS4HUE does not indicate a single “best” decision. Its purpose is to support an informed decision‑making process by presenting available options and their potential effects. The results are based on scientific evidence and should be interpreted with consideration of local conditions.
To conclude the visit, the participants were shown how the two tools can complement each other, creating a coherent approach to planning healthy urban environments. The visit to Rybnik was an important stage in their testing, and the experiences and feedback gathered will support further refinement of the tools and their better adaptation to different cities across Europe.
1. Public opinion on urban challenges and investment in cities - Eurobarometer survey