Overview

In many parts of the world, public health is, in essence, urban health. Since the early 1990s, cities have been reshaped in response to the health crises brought on by the Industrial Revolution – ranging from poor sanitation to pollution and overcrowded living conditions. Today, cities face a new wave of challenges, with climate threats emerging as a major stressor on urban environments and the health of their residents.

In response, cities, being key determinants of its inhabitants’ health, must increasingly integrate health-sensitive planning with climate-resilient infrastructure. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to climate-related health risks such as urban heat islands, poor air quality, flooding, and extreme weather events.

For example, poor air quality is another major urban health threat: the World Health Organization estimates that air pollution leads to 7 million premature deaths each year, with urban residents disproportionately affected due to vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and limited green spaces. Additionally, 99% of people worldwide breathe air that exceeds WHO pollution guidelines. Flooding and extreme weather events are also becoming more frequent and severe. Between 2000 and 2019, floods affected over 1.65 billion people globally, with urban settlements increasingly at risk due to impermeable surfaces and aging drainage infrastructure.

These risks disproportionately affect vulnerable populations – including children, the elderly, low-income communities, and those with pre-existing health conditions – amplifying existing inequalities and straining public health systems.

Urban planning and infrastructure design must now consider not only environmental and economic resilience, but also the direct and indirect health impacts of climate change. This calls for a holistic, multi-sectoral approach that brings together health, climate, environment, and urban development stakeholders to mitigate risks while promoting wellness and liveability.

As we confront growing climate risks and urbanisation, reimagining the built environment is not just an opportunity – it’s a necessity. Creating cities that are both climate-resilient and health-promoting is key to ensuring a future of thriving, equitable, and sustainable urban living.

WATCH WEBINAR HERE

Speakers

• Tan Shin Bin, Assistant Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

Shin Bin’s research focuses on how built environment interventions and public policy can improve social and health equity. Previously, she worked as an urban planner at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore. She obtained her PhD and Master in City Planning from the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2021.

• Yugesh Pradhanang, International Programme Manager, UNDP Bangladesh

Yugesh Pradhanang is a highly experienced development professional with over 20 years of expertise in urban development, local governance, and climate resilience. He has led impactful programmes across Afghanistan, Ukraine, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Georgia, primarily with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His work focuses on building community resilience, promoting sustainable livelihoods, advancing gender equality, and driving climate adaptation in urban areas.

Currently serving as International Programme Manager at UNDP Bangladesh, Yugesh leads a major urban initiative across 19 cities, addressing urban poverty and climate vulnerability. His leadership has mobilised four million urban poor, empowered women leaders, and introduced innovative, community-driven infrastructure and affordable housing models for low-income families.

With a background in civil engineering and a Master’s in Sustainable Energy Systems, Yugesh integrates technical expertise with strategic development. He is known for his leadership in policy advocacy, resource mobilisation, and stakeholder engagement. His contributions include shaping Bangladesh’s National Urban Policy and developing tools like poverty mapping and vulnerability assessments to guide planning. Yugesh’s inclusive, sustainability-focused approach and regional experience make him a key driver of urban transformation, governance reform, and climate resilience for vulnerable communities.

• Cristina Kuo Lin, Divisional Director, Atelier Ten, an SJ company

Cristina is a Divisional Director at Atelier Ten Singapore, where she leads climate-responsive design in tropical urban environments. Her work focuses on mitigating urban heat through integrated strategies that enhance outdoor thermal comfort, health, and well-being. In this session, she will share approaches to mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect and improving comfort conditions in tropical cities, and how thoughtful placemaking can foster healthier, more resilient urban life.

• Stewart Tan, Deputy Director, Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore

Stewart Tan (BBA/Hons, MSc/ Management from the National University of Singapore Business School) is Deputy Director of Research at the Centre for Liveable Cities, where he leads CLC’s Future Communities and Social and Behavioural Sciences research pillars. He is currently driving research in the areas of understanding and anticipating the future needs and aspirations of communities in response to societal shifts and built environment challenges, the development of novel social science methodologies in collaboration with academia and agency partners, as well as driving social and behavioural science application for the Urban Systems and Sustainability and Infrastructure and Environment sectors under the ambit of the Science of Cities Workgroup. Stewart also oversees the forging of research partnerships with local and international research thinktanks and institutes of higher learning. During his time in CLC, Stewart has produced several publications and book chapters for local and international audiences on the topics of housing, diversity and security. 

• Diana Torres, Regional Governance Advisor, UNDP Asia and the Pacific

Diana Torres is the UNDP Regional Governance Advisor for Asia-Pacific, where she leads efforts to strengthen urban governance systems and support cities in advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development. With over two decades of global experience in public sector reform and democratic governance across Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf, Diana brings deep expertise in institutional innovation, multilevel governance, and local accountability.

Since joining UNDP in 2008, she has spearheaded regional and national initiatives to promote open government, strengthen anti-corruption frameworks, and build dynamic governance capabilities. In recent years, she has focused on supporting cities in Asia-Pacific to navigate complex urban challenges by fostering peer learning, enabling collaboration, and helping local governments unlock tools, data, and partnerships that accelerate urban transformation.

Diana is passionate about cities as engines of opportunity and social progress. She champions future-ready governance models that anticipate risks, adapt to change, and enable inclusive decision-making. She plays a key role in UNDP’s work to connect city leaders, share cutting-edge solutions, and build capabilities that drive systemic change. Diana holds a degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and Governance from the University of Amsterdam. 

READ THE RECAP

The webinar series is a joint initiative under the recently signed MoU between Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and the UNDP Singapore Global Centre. This series aims to leverage the expertise and networks of both institutions to create sustainable cities and deploy innovative urban solutions. Watch the recording of the first webinar on Sustainable Urban Mobility here.