Advancing Urban Health: Insights and Innovations at ICUH 2025
The 21st International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH 2025), hosted by the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), will convene from November 17–21, 2025, in Wellington, New Zealand. Centered on the theme “Healthy Cities, Resilient Futures: Weaving Climate Action, Equity, & Wellbeing from Asia Pacific to the World,” the conference will serve as a global platform for addressing the interconnected challenges of urbanization, climate change, and health disparities. With cities increasingly bearing the brunt of environmental and social inequities, ICUH 2025 aims to bridge Indigenous wisdom, scientific research, and policy innovation to foster sustainable urban health solutions. The event will gather thought leaders, practitioners, and community advocates to share transformative strategies that prioritize resilience, inclusivity, and holistic wellbeing in urban settings.
ICUH 2025 is structured around five core themes, each addressing critical dimensions of urban health through interdisciplinary and culturally informed approaches. The first theme, Healthy Built Environment, explores how urban planning and infrastructure can promote equity and climate resilience, emphasizing green spaces, affordable housing, and accessible transport systems. The second theme, Nourishing Landscapes, examines sustainable food systems and urban agriculture as pathways to food security and ecological balance, integrating Indigenous practices such as Māori food sovereignty models. Place Matters, the third theme, highlights the importance of community-driven and culturally grounded solutions, advocating for participatory policymaking that respects local knowledge and lived experiences. The fourth theme, Lifelong Wellness, focuses on creating age-friendly cities that support mental health, social connectivity, and equitable healthcare access across generations. Finally, the Regional Spotlight theme amplifies Indigenous and Asia-Pacific perspectives, showcasing Māori, Aboriginal, and Pacific Islander health frameworks alongside Asian urban resilience strategies to address systemic inequities and environmental challenges.
Attending ICUH 2025 offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, collaboration, and advocacy in urban health. Participants will engage with cutting-edge research, Indigenous leadership, and policy dialogues that challenge conventional approaches to urbanization. The conference’s Asia-Pacific focus provides fresh insights into regional innovations, from climate adaptation in vulnerable island nations to community-led health initiatives in megacities. Beyond knowledge exchange, attendees will forge actionable partnerships with governments, NGOs, and grassroots organizations, translating ideas into scalable projects. For policymakers, ICUH 2025 is a chance to align local strategies with global frameworks like the SDGs, while researchers and practitioners can amplify their impact by contributing to a diverse, solutions-oriented discourse. Whether through workshops, networking sessions, or keynote speeches, the event promises to inspire tangible progress toward healthier, more just cities.
The call for papers, open until May 17, 2025, invites submissions across five thematic areas, with particular encouragement for contributions highlighting indigenous knowledge, community-based interventions, and cross-sectoral collaborations. Accepted presenters will gain visibility on an international stage, connecting with funders, policymakers, and peers to advance their work. Selected papers may also be included in conference publications, extending their reach beyond the event. This call emphasizes culturally responsive and empirically grounded solutions, ensuring that diverse voices—especially those from marginalized and Indigenous communities—shape the urban health agenda.
ICUH 2025 represents a critical juncture for reimagining urban health through the lenses of equity, sustainability, and indigenous leadership. By centering the Asia-Pacific region’s unique challenges and innovations, the conference will catalyze strategies that are both locally relevant and globally resonant. From climate-resilient infrastructure to inclusive policymaking, the discussions and partnerships formed at ICUH 2025 will lay the groundwork for cities that prioritize human and ecological wellbeing. As urbanization continues to reshape societies, the insights generated at this conference will be instrumental in ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of a healthier, more resilient future. For those committed to transformative urban health solutions, participation in ICUH 2025 is not just an opportunity—it’s a necessity.
