This fall, a group from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and the City of Saint John will visit Copenhagen, Denmark for a workshop on healthy urban policy.
Organized by 8 80 Cities, a national non-profit based in Toronto, Ont., this event aims to inspire cities to take bold steps and rethink conventional approaches, ultimately working towards healthier, fairer, and more sustainable communities.
For five days, participants will dive into an interactive workshop designed to improve and apply healthy urban policies in Saint John, specifically targeting transportation.
Researchers will explore how Copenhagen has positively impacted public health, learn from specialists and fellow attendees, and participate in activities to pinpoint and express challenges in their cities. They will also craft strategies to involve the community and other key players in promoting active transportation enhancements.
Leading the Saint John team is Dr. Trevor Hanson, a professor in civil engineering and the coordinator of the Community Transportation Research Lab, who will also take on the role of principal investigator for the project. He will be joined by Dr. Jennifer Russell, the executive director of the Institute of Population Health at UNB.
The City will be represented by Mayor Donna Reardon, traffic engineer Jillian DeMerchant, and community planning manager Jennifer Kirchner.
The initiative by UNB, named “Quantifying Benefits of Local Active Transportation Investments: A Collaborative Health and Engineering Approach to Mobilize on Healthy Urban Policy,” focuses on enhancing Saint John’s existing active transportation options and the developments in the uptown urban area. This project aims to measure and communicate the health and wellness advantages stemming from these enhancements.
Dr. Russell stated healthy built environments are key to enhancing physical and mental health.
“By designing cities to promote active transportation, we address public health challenges, reduce risks of chronic diseases like dementia, heart disease, and diabetes, and support mental well-being,” Russell continued.
“For New Brunswick, this means creating connected spaces that encourage healthier lifestyles, help residents age in place, maintain independence, and reduce healthcare system pressure. The project in Saint John showcases how urban design and policies can boost public health, making our communities places to thrive.”
Joining New Brunswick are three other Canadian teams: Montreal, Quebec (Université de Montréal), Toronto, Ontario (University of Guelph), and Burnaby, British Columbia (Simon Fraser University).
Mayor Reardon emphasized that Saint John is dedicated to improving the quality of life for its residents by implementing innovative urban planning and promoting active transportation options.
“This opportunity, in partnership with UNB, will provide us with the tools to clearly demonstrate the significant health and well-being benefits these enhancements bring to our community. By quantifying these benefits, we can make informed decisions that support a healthier, more vibrant and connected Saint John.”
