Emilia‑Romagna Holds Regional Urban‑Health Conference in Bologna

On 15 July 2026, the Emilia‑Romagna Region hosted a full‑day conference titled “Urban Health – Placing Health at the Centre of Cities” at the Sala 20 Maggio in Bologna. Organized by the Region’s Prevention and Public Health department together with the Government and Territory Quality sector, the event aimed to discuss how urban planning can mitigate heat waves and floods while promoting active lifestyles and social cohesion.

The programme comprised three sessions: an introductory overview of the link between urban development and public‑health challenges; a presentation of the newly approved regional guideline “Urban Health – Promoting Inter‑sectoral Interventions for Livability, Health and Well‑being” (DGR n. 1869, 17 Nov 2025); and a showcase of practical examples and best‑practice projects for creating healthy neighbourhoods. Participants were invited to contribute ideas for future policies and interventions.

The conference sought to foster collaboration among planners, health officials, and community stakeholders to embed health considerations into city design across Emilia‑Romagna.