Copenhagen consistently ranks among the world's healthiest and happiest cities, and its approach offers valuable lessons for urban health. The city's health plan, designed to last a decade, focuses on six simple initiatives, including promoting cycling and nutritious lunches. Despite subzero winters, bike lanes are packed, and a quarter of families own cargo bikes. The city also features an open-air harbour pool where residents swim year-round, embodying a culture that prioritises wellbeing.
The World Health Organisation's Healthy Cities initiative, celebrating its 30th anniversary, includes 1,400 cities worldwide. Copenhagen joined in 1987, a year after the original 11 cities. The initiative aims to create not just walkable streets but sociable, happier communities. Other examples include Turku's discounted access to sports and culture for benefit recipients, Newcastle's dementia-friendly cinema, and Vienna's intergenerational exercise classes.
Copenhagen's success stems from long-term political commitment, with a 10-year health policy that transcends electoral cycles. Katrine Schjønning, the city's head of public health, emphasises that public health changes require a long perspective. The plan makes health part of everyday life by making cycling attractive, serving nutritious lunches, and offering quit-smoking programmes in educational institutions.
Obesity and related diseases thrive in cities with food deserts and unsafe streets. Copenhagen counters this by integrating health into urban design, showing that fundamental social and cultural change is possible. As cities worldwide grapple with rising obesity and depression, Copenhagen's model demonstrates how mayors can kickstart healthier environments.
