On 27-28 November, the UBDPolicy team gathered in Utrecht for the project’s mid-term meeting, bringing together project researchers and members of the External Advisory Board to assess progress and strategise for the future.
This mid-term meeting was a pivotal moment to ensure alignment across work packages, case studies, and methodologies while maintaining a strong focus on actionable outcomes.
Key Highlights:
Progress Across Case Studies and Workshops
UBDPolicy reviewed the advancements in its ten diverse case study cities. Each city has its unique characteristics, from population sizes to transport modes and exposure levels. Different scenarios, such as green space enhancements or low-emission zones (LEZs), were selected for each city based on the stakeholder workshops and local consultations. This tailored approach ensures local relevance and actionable results.
The scenarios will be thoroughly examined using methodologies such as Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Cost-Benefit Analyses (CBA).
The importance of engaging policymakers, local NGOs, and academic partners was emphasized. As cities like Brussels and Warsaw demonstrate, meaningful participation helps identify interventions that can be implemented effectively. Effective communication of results is key to driving change and influencing urban policy. This is why we will prioritize developing policy briefs and infographics.
Exposure-Response Functions (ERFs) and equity
Discussions emphasised the need to integrate equity into every stage of the work, including subgroup analyses and the stratification of ERFs. Topics included how mobility, disabilities, income, and other socioeconomic factors influence health outcomes and access to urban benefits.
Methodologies
UBDPolicy revisited methodologies such as Comparative Risk Assessments and potential alternative approaches such as microsimulations and proportional multi-state life tables. The team also highlighted the importance of harmonizing frameworks across case studies, particularly regarding LEZ and Low-Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs).
Looking Ahead
As UBDPolicy moves into the second half of the project, its focus will shift to analysis and reporting. With data collection expected to conclude early next year, results will start flowing in 2025. These findings will be crucial for stakeholder discussions and actionable insights.
