On 28 October, researchers, public health professionals, urban planners and policy-makers are invited to Brussels to learn about the project’s main findings, implementation experiences and policy recommendations.

The HORUS closing event is not merely about bringing a project to a close. It is about exploring how its results, experiences and tools can continue to contribute to healthier cities.

Whether you work in policy-making, urban planning, public health or research, this is an opportunity to discover what HORUS has learnt and to discuss how its findings could form the basis for future urban health initiatives.

The event will be held in a hybrid format, but we particularly encourage you to join us in person in Brussels to meet the HORUS partners, exchange ideas and network with others working towards healthier and more inclusive cities. Places for in-person attendance are limited, so we recommend registering as soon as possible!

From research to action: how can HORUS help create healthier cities?

• Wednesday, 28 October 2026
• 08:30–14:30 CEST
• Manos Conference Centre, Chaussée de Charleroi 135, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Brussels
• Online participation available

What if healthier cities made better decisions?

The environments in which we live influence our health every day. From opportunities for physical activity to the design of our neighbourhoods, urban environments can shape our behaviours, our well-being and our risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
But how can we turn this knowledge into meaningful action and better urban policies?
This is one of the central questions addressed by HORUS.
After years of research and collaboration, the project is drawing to a close, having gathered valuable insights into how urban environments affect health and how cities can promote healthier lifestyles, particularly amongst vulnerable populations.
And HORUS has taken this research beyond theory.
In its three pilot cities, Valencia (Spain), Rijeka (Croatia) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands), the project has worked directly with local communities through activities designed to promote healthier behaviours and citizen participation.
From physical activity sessions and nutrition workshops in Valencia, to forest therapy and mindfulness activities in Rijeka, and community walking sessions in Rotterdam, these experiences have helped to explore how health promotion approaches can be implemented and adapted to different urban contexts.
In addition to these interventions, HORUS has developed digital solutions to support research and decision-making in the field of urban health. These include the HORUS Platform, which brings together the project’s data and findings; the Wakamola app, which makes it easier to track health habits and participation; and the Healthy Cities Generator, a decision-support tool that helps assess the potential health impacts of urban interventions. As part of HORUS, the Citizen Participation module was developed to incorporate citizens’ perspectives.
Together, these activities and tools provide insights into how research, technology and community participation can contribute to creating healthier urban environments and shaping future public health strategies.
We now wish to share what we have learnt and explore how this knowledge can be put to use.

Closing event programme

08:30–08:45 | Welcome and programme overview
08:45–09:15 | HORUS at a glance: vision, collaboration and a European perspective

An introduction to the HORUS project, its objectives, European collaboration and its contribution to addressing urban health challenges.
09:15–09:45 | Understanding our cities: people, places and urban environments

How urban environments influence health and what HORUS has learnt about understanding the needs of our cities.
09:45–10:30 | From design to implementation: lessons from three HORUS pilot cities

Real-world interventions, local challenges and lessons that other cities can learn from.
10:30–10:45 | Coffee break
10:45–11:30 | Has HORUS made a difference? Results, impact and lessons learnt

Evaluation findings, impact on health-related behaviours and opportunities for replication.
11:30–12:00 | Healthier cities, healthier lives: practical guidance for citizens

Practical approaches to promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing non-communicable diseases.
12:00–12:30 | From evidence to action: shaping healthier urban policies

How HORUS’s findings and recommendations can support urban planning and public health decision-making.
12:30–12:45 | The HORUS colloquium: open discussion
12:45–13:00 | Looking to the future: closing of the HORUS open day
13:00–14:30 | Networking lunch

Join us in Brussels!

Registration is now open.

👉 HORUS closing event | Registration: Fill in the form

Participants joining online will receive the link a few days before the event.

We hope you’ll join us in Brussels, or online, as we bring the HORUS journey to a close and look to the future.

HORUS Open Day / Final Event, 28 October
Online attendance link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89149798538

Registration for the HORUS Final Event is now open

Registration: HORUS Final Event | Registration: Fill in the form

• HORUS website article: https://horus-urbanhealth.eu/event/horus-reaches-its-final-stage-join-us-for-our-final-event-in-brussels/
• LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7513153846811095042
• Bluesky post: https://bsky.app/profile/horus-urbanhealth.bsky.social/post/3mx6zcjuwlc2u

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