---
title: Livable Cities
date: 2020-04-01T22:27:00-04:00
author: Mike Mella
canonical_url: "https://healthbridge.ca/livable-cities"
section: Main Menu Pages
---
[ ![Kristie Daniel](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_150x150_crop_center-center_90_none/43475/2022-10-Daniel-Family-048.webp) ](https://healthbridge.ca/staff/kristie-daniel)

 [Kristie Daniel](https://healthbridge.ca/staff/kristie-daniel) is the contact for our Livable Cities program.

  ![](/dist/images/bridge-bg.svg) 

Urban areas continue to grow across the globe, with over half of the world’s population living in cities. How cities are built and grow can greatly affect health, the environment, and quality of life. Low and middle-income countries in particular are facing significant burdens as a result of growth of cities. At the same time, climate change and political conflict are intensifying existing urban challenges.

**Studies show that the way cities are built impacts people's:**

- Risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
- Risk of injury
- Exposure to air pollution
- Vulnerability to the effects of climate change
- Ability to be gainfully employed
- Ability to interact and build relationships with neighbours.

A livable city is well designed and compact. It allows people to walk to school and work, and to stores, parks and restaurants. It permits them to take transit to places outside of their neighbourhoods, and provides them with access to sanitation, water, clean air, safe affordable housing and healthy foods.

A livable city also ensures that everyone has access to parks and public spaces. It is a place where everyone, including women, children, people living in poverty, and people living with disabilities are able to meet their day-to-day needs and enjoy community life.

 

 

#### Learn

### What We Do

 

We work with local groups in low and middle-income countries to improve the livability of cities. Along with our partners we:

- Research the local context and increase our understanding of the policies and programs needed
- Conduct pilot projects and provide residents with support to make changes within their own neighbourhoods as a way of demonstrating what is possible
- Provide capacity building workshops to communities and officials
- Advocate for the adoption of policies to be put into action.