Awards categories
The suite of seven awards is structured to encourage submissions in categories that span the micro, meso and macro levels of city design and planning. These encompass design for homes and workplaces, neighborhoods, systems for transport and citizen mobility, city-wide developments and, finally, the contribution of the research community to advancing knowledge in this field.
Healthy homes and neighbourhoods
How housing and neighbourhood design can support health, equity, and everyday wellbeing, exploring evidence-based approaches to delivering healthy, affordable, and adaptable homes within inclusive, walkable neighbourhoods, addressing issues such as housing quality, density, access to services and green space, and social connection. The stream will showcase policy, design, and community-led initiatives that create safe, resilient places where people can thrive across all stages of life.
Sustainable infrastructure and green mobility
Exploring how sustainable urban, economic, and social infrastructure, together with green mobility, can support both human and planetary health. Grounded in the principles of sustainable development, it will examine low-carbon, resource-efficient systems that enable inclusive economic growth while strengthening social connection and community resilience. Topics include active and public transport, clean energy, nature-based and social infrastructure, and integrated urban systems that improve air quality, support wellbeing, and help cities thrive within ecological limits.
Community impact and social value
Examines how urban planning and development can deliver meaningful social value and positive community impact, exploring methods for embedding equity, inclusion, and health outcomes into decision-making, measuring social value, and empowering communities through co-design and local leadership. Case studies will highlight how place-based approaches can strengthen social connection, support regeneration, and ensure that urban change benefits people and communities.
Smart cities and digital health
Exploring how digital innovation and smart technologies can improve health, wellbeing, and quality of life in cities. It will examine the role of data, digital tools, and emerging technologies in shaping healthier urban environments—supporting active travel, access to services, environmental monitoring, and more responsive public spaces. The stream will also address governance, equity, and ethics, highlighting how smart city approaches can be people-centred, inclusive, and focused on real-world health outcomes.
Population and neighbourhood health
How cities can improve health outcomes at both population and neighbourhood levels through place-based approaches, exploring the integration of healthcare provision into communities—at home, in neighbourhood settings, and on the high street—alongside planning and design strategies that support prevention, early intervention, and health equity. Sessions will highlight models that connect health services, housing, and local infrastructure to create accessible, resilient, and people-centred systems of care.
Healthy working environments
This award explores how a wide range of workplaces can be designed, delivered, and managed to support health, wellbeing, and productivity. It will cover commercial real estate and offices, public sector buildings such as healthcare and education, construction sites, and other non-office workplaces. Sessions will highlight evidence-based design, operational practices, and policy approaches that improve physical and mental health, safety, inclusion, and sustainability across diverse working environments.
Design research for healthy cities
An original, complete and independently assessed research project which makes a significant contribution to the conceptualization, planning, design, development, or evaluation of the urban environment, as a key factor in improving human health, equity and wellbeing and promoting the principles of sustainable development. Research projects are welcomed from practitioner organisations and academic institutions, and may include but is not limited to design research studies, advanced design innovations, health impact studies, frameworks, tools, and guidelines.
Call for Entries
The call for entries shall be launching in March
