Strategic action for urban health: case studies

Decision-makers around the world are finding new and creative ways to act strategically on urban health – aligning urban systems, policies, and partnerships. This series of urban health case studies documents this emerging phenomenon. Each study presents a concrete example of how governments, communities, and other partners have worked across sectors and scales to embed health and equity into urban decisions.

These cases form part of WHO’s broader initiative on strategic action for urban health, anchored in the comprehensive global report: Taking a strategic approach to urban health: a guide for decision-makers. Drawing on the insights embodied in the accompanying Urban Health Policy Brief Series, the case studies translate the Guide’s strategic principles into real-world practice – showing how governance, evidence, innovation, and collaboration can be woven together to deliver improvements in urban health and sustainability.

Together, these cases vividly confirm that there is no single pathway to healthier urban areas. Strategic action can begin from diverse entry points: environmental and spatial planning, transport and mobility, housing, energy, or community development, to name a few. These examples are united by a deliberate, systems-oriented approach—coordinating across institutions, anticipating future risks, and seeking co-benefits for health and health equity, sustainability and resilience.

The cases span all regions and scales from local to national. Collectively, they reflect the diversity of urban contexts—from small and intermediate cities to metropolitan areas. Some focus on long-term institutional reforms; others highlight catalytic local initiatives or learning processes. Each contributes practical insights on the means of implementation for urban health.

This case study series is intended to support cities and partners worldwide in putting the principles of the Guide into action. It is both a knowledge base and an invitation—to learn from others, adapt proven approaches to new contexts, and thereby to contribute new examples of strategic urban health action to the collective good.