Written by Sofia Aivalioti for URBACT
One Health is not new, but its implementation in planning and designing cities is both innovative and necessary. Most cities promote health through some often-disconnected angles: by mitigating adverse impacts of climate change, tackling biodiversity loss, or designing public space for active and healthy mobility. However, coordinated actions that incorporate all living beings and recognise their interconnectedness have yet to emerge.
For over a year now, we have been working towards solutions by providing expert support to the One Health 4 Cities Network, and we have learned a lot along the way.
1. It’s time for a more coherent One Health implementation
The One Health approach—an intersectional framework addressing human, animal, and environmental health—is not new in essence, but cities are only beginning to systematise its implementation. A key takeaway is that while elements of One Health already exist in urban planning, there is a pressing need to implement One Health more systematically and collaboratively. This requires cities to boldly explore new methodologies, test innovative solutions, embrace implementation and collaborate across departments.
2. Tailoring communication for stakeholders
One Health is a complex topic, and its communication cannot adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, decision-makers, technical experts, and community members each require messaging that is relatable and addresses specific needs. Simplifying jargon and contextualising the benefits of One Health make it more accessible and engaging to a wider audience. By reframing the narrative to emphasise relevance and practical outcomes, cities can garner stronger stakeholder buy-in.
3. Learning across diverse contexts
Cities small and large, advanced and nascent in their One Health journey, offer unique perspectives. Learning from each city’s context, whether from innovative successes or challenges faced, has proven invaluable and has helped the network touch and explore many One Health topics (e.g. access and quality of green spaces, overpopulation of rodents, gender inclusion etc.). Some exchanges directly turned into actionable insights for some cities. As a network, we are learning from everyone, enhancing the credibility and applicability of our outputs for all types of cities.
4. Learning from mistakes
Some of the most memorable lessons arise from failures rather than flawless processes and best practices. Recognising and analysing mistakes fosters a culture of creative thinking for brainstorming about solutions, develops empathy and supports cities to avoid similar pitfalls. It takes courage to admit mistakes and what could have been avoided. The network’s open environment allows partners to share these challenges candidly, paving the way for collective problem-solving and progress.
5. Accelerating volume of experimentation
Implementing One Health does not need to be perfect from the first try. The urgency lies in accelerating experimentation and testing new ideas across various domains. Waiting for perfect solutions can delay meaningful action. We need to define and prioritise agile methodologies and learn fast. Cities will adapt and refine their approaches over time. One Health is not a fixed end goal; it is an ever-evolving process of continuous improvement.
6. Breaking silos and avoiding blind spots
Business-as-usual approaches can perpetuate blind spots and omit critical perspectives. To truly embrace One Health, cities must convene diverse experts across disciplines to ensure that decisions consider human, animal, and environmental impacts comprehensively. This holistic approach can prevent unintended consequences and maximise the benefits of urban interventions. Way too often the animal health was omitted from conversations, frequently it was an afterthought. To implement One Health, we need all aspects to be equally represented and understood.
What’s next for the One Health 4 Cities network?
The network aims to:
- Develop tools and guidelines: Together with experts and city partners, we are creating the “Essentials Guidebook on One Health for City Makers”, a practical resource filled with tips and tools to help more public authorities embark on their One Health journey.
- Widen expert external collaborations: By engaging a broader range of stakeholders, projects and experts in our activities, the network aims to enrich collective learnings and open to new opportunities for collaboration across diverse fields.
- Test actions and integrated Action Plans: The network cities are actively developing and testing their One Health approaches, a process that will intensify and conclude in 2025. This effort aims to gather valuable learnings and lay the groundwork for comprehensive One Health implementation.
- Host a closing event: At our final event on the 10th of December in Brussels, we will showcase all our learning and pledge for wider support and adoption by EU institutions, policymakers, and decision-makers. Join us!
Are you ready to implement One Health?
If you’re interested in implementing One Health locally and need some guidance, reach out to Sofia Aivalioti.
