New chair at the helm for Healthy City Design 2026

As chair, Max will lead the strategic and commercial development of the Congress, working in close collaboration with Jeremy Myerson, academic director of Healthy City Design and professor emeritus at the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art, and Marc Sansom, chief executive officer of Healthy City Design and founding director of SALUS Global Knowledge Exchange.

His appointment strengthens the leadership team as Healthy City Design enters its second decade, building on its reputation as a leading international forum exploring the intersection of urban design, public health, sustainable development, and social wellbeing.

An urban planner and public affairs specialist, Max is a senior strategic leader with extensive experience in guiding the growth, positioning, and commercial development of mission-led organisations and international programmes. As founder and chief executive officer of LDN Collective – a network of built environment experts and creatives working to improve people’s lives and the planet’s prospects – he brings a strong track record of building partnerships, developing sustainable business models, and supporting innovation across the built environment, health, and knowledge sectors.

In his new role, Max will focus on strengthening long-term partnerships, supporting sustainable growth, and ensuring the Congress continues to respond to the most pressing challenges facing cities and communities worldwide. 

Commenting on the appointment, Marc Sansom said: “Max brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, commercial insight, and alignment with the values that underpin Healthy City Design. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as we look to grow the Congress’s influence and international reach.”

Jeremy Myerson added: “The 10th Congress is both a celebration of progress and an opportunity to look ahead. Max’s experience and perspective will play a vital role in shaping the future direction of Healthy City Design.” 

Launch reception

To mark the next phase of the Congress, Healthy City Design will host a launch reception on 24 February 2026 at the Royal College of Art, Battersea, bringing together leaders from across urban policy, design, health, and investment. The evening will feature a panel discussion with Professor Ricky Burdett (LSE Cities), Pete Gladwell (Legal & General), Dr Jo Bibby (The Health Foundation), Dr Nathalie Röbbel (World Health Organization) and Chris Scott (Muse), exploring the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of healthy cities.

The Congress will this year address its main theme, ‘Breakdown or Breakthrough? New strategies for healthier cities’ – a proposition asserting that if we want to avoid urban breakdown, then we need breakthrough ideas that create healthier and more sustainable cities. The choice is stark: transform through policy and practice – or regress in terms of urban living standards and social progress.

The Call for Papers, which will be launched in early February, will invite abstracts exploring breakthrough strategies and ideas across the following streams:

• Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods
• Sustainable Infrastructure and Green Mobility
• Community Impact and Social Value
• Smart Cities and Digital Health
• Population and Neighbourhood Health
• Healthy Working Environments
  

Returning to the Lowry Arts Centre in Salford, Greater Manchester on 20-21 October 2026, the 10th Healthy City Design 2026 International Congress is organised by SALUS Global Knowledge Exchange in collaboration with the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art, in collaboration with destination partners Salford City Council and MediaCity. It will bring together global leaders from urban planning, architecture, public health, policy, and research to explore how healthier, more sustainable cities can be designed for future generations.

Partnership opportunities

Healthy City Design is also seeking new partners to help shape the future of the Congress and its wider programme. Opportunities include a range of media, content, branding, and thought leadership partnerships, offering organisations the chance to engage global audiences, contribute to influential debate, and align with a leading international platform at the intersection of cities, health and sustainable development.

More details can be found here.