Dr Mirjam Schindler - School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria  University of Wellington

Healthy cities are finding ever-increasing priority and entry onto policy and planning agendas as we see rising concerns and evidence about health effects due to, for instance, air pollution, loss of green spaces, and declining quality of life in our growing cities. To plan for healthy cities, however, we need a better understanding of the complex urban system of people, processes, and place, and the role the built environment can play in urban health promotion. Advanced spatial tools (e.g., models, digital twins, participatory GIS) are being developed and used to support urban planning decision-making; yet the use of technology in decision-making processes adds additional complexity to the planning system, raising questions about how to navigate the involved socio-technical processes. This talk will unpack the concept of ‘healthy cities’ and some of the complexities of urban and planning systems involved in healthy city planning, drawing on examples from my research on green spaces, housing, air pollution, and liveability. I will particularly focus on the role of socio-technical interactions in decision-making processes, and associated challenges.

Dr Mirjam Schindler is a lecturer in Human Geography at the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences. Her research focuses on human–environment interactions in urban areas, specifically how morphologies of cities impact residential and transport choices, the environment, and urban health. Her current research focuses on health promotion through urban design and explores the intersection of social and technological processes to support transitions towards healthier cities.

This seminar will be available via this zoom link:   https://vuw.zoom.us/j/9453183979