Co-design of the urban environment for future generations
A celebration of the emerging findings of the innovative SPACE Project led by Queen’s University Belfast took place on Friday 30 June 2023. This popular webinar had over 80 participants registered from across academia, local and regional government, health, planning and third sector organisations.
SPACE, Supportive Environments for Physical and Social Activity, Healthy Ageing and Cognitive Health, explores the link between where we live and its effect on dementia and brain health as we get older. Preventing dementia and cognitive decline is a global health priority. Prof Ruth Hunter, Queen’s University Belfast, one of the Principal Investigator on SPACE, presented evidence on the impact of environmental factors on cognitive health and policy consideration to impact positively on ageing, cognitive health and the environment to create liveable communities.
During the webinar Prof Geoff Green, outlined the current priorities of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, Healthy Ageing Task Force member cities to support ageing populations across Europe.
An introduction to The interplay between epigenetics and the environment was given by Prof Amy Jayne McKnight. While Prof Jennifer McKinley, spoke to the The impact of soil pollution on human health. These elements of the SPACE project will be explored in detail in upcoming webinars.
This webinar launched a series of factsheets and videos which showcase the impact of pollution in Noise, Light, Air and Soil pollution on brain health and healthy ageing. Factsheet and videos also explore topics on Green and Blue Space, Urban Planning, Planetary Health and Climate Change. These resources include the views members of the Older People’s Advisory Board and partner organisations. Providing inspiration for sectors to consider and embed knowledge of risk factors of dementia and cognitive decline within organisational policy and take creative actions to support the design of places for future generations.
The event was chaired by Belfast Healthy Cities, a partner in the SPACE programme, and is the first in a series of webinars. Updates on future events are available via Belfast Healthy Cities and QUB SPACE.
WEBINAR RESOURCES
Webinar Recording
Co-design of the urban environment for future generations
Webinar Presentations
Age-Friendly Environments in Europe
Prof Geoff Green, Expert Advisor, WHO Europe
The SPACE Project – the impact of place on brain health
Prof Ruth Hunter, Queen’s University Belfast
The interplay between epigenetics and the environment
Prof Amy Jayne McKnight, Queen’s University Belfast
The impact of soil pollution on human health
Prof Jennifer McKinley, Queen’s University Belfast
SPACE - Launch of factsheets and videos series
Dr Niamh O’Kane and Dr Ione Avila-Palencia, Queen’s University Belfast
Factsheets and Videos
SPACE Factsheets and Videos