HORUS is a Horizon Europe project that stands for Health Outcomes from Raised Urban Settings. Across 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 engagement.

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 explore how health-promoting approaches can be implemented and adapted to different urban contexts.

HORUS has also worked with digital solutions to support urban health research and decision-making. These include the HORUS Platform, which brings together project data and insights, the Wakamola app, supporting health behaviour monitoring and engagement and the Healthy Cities Generator, a decision-support tool that helps assess the potential health impacts of urban interventions. Within HORUS, its Citizen Engagement module was developed to incorporate citizens’ perspectives.

Together, these activities and tools offer insights into how research, technology and community participation can inform healthier urban environments and future public health strategies.

As the project comes to an end, it will bring together valuable insights into how urban environments affect health and how cities can support healthier lifestyles, particularly among vulnerable populations. Researchers, public health professionals, urban planners and policymakers are invited to the final event to discover the project’s main findings, implementation experiences and policy recommendations.

Final Event Agenda

08:30–08:45 | Welcome and agenda overview

08:45–09:15| HORUS at a Glance: Vision, Partnership and European Perspective
An introduction to the HORUS project, its objectives, European collaboration and contribution to addressing urban health challenges.

09:15–09:45 | Understanding Our Cities: People, Places & Urban Environments
How urban environments influence health and what HORUS has learned about understanding the needs of our cities.

09:45–10:30 | From Design to Delivery: 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 | Did HORUS Make a Difference? Results, Impact & Lessons Learned
Evaluation findings, impact on health behaviours and opportunities for replication.

11:30–12:00 | Healthier Cities, Healthier Lives: Practical Guidance for Citizens
Practical approaches to supporting healthier lifestyles and preventing NCDs.

12:00–12:30 | From Evidence to Action: Shaping Healthier City Policies
How HORUS findings and recommendations can support urban planning and public health decision-making.

12:30–12:45 | The HORUS Conversation: Open Floor

12:45–13:00 | Looking Ahead: Closing the HORUS Open Day

13:00–14:30 | Networking Lunch

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The event will be held in a hybrid format, but interested attendees are encouraged to join the in-person event in Brussels to meet the HORUS partners, exchange ideas and connect with others working towards healthier and more inclusive cities.

In-person places are limited, so early registration is recommended.

Registration link

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