INTerventions, Equity, Research and Action in Cities Team (INTERACT): Research and knowledge translation for scaling our understanding of health and the built environment

The INTerventions, Equity, Research, and Action in Cities Team (INTERACT) is a pan-Canadian collaboration of scientists, urban planners, public health practitioners, community partners, and members of the public, uncovering how the design of our cities is shaping the health and well-being of all. Since 2017, INTERACT has developed and implemented mixed methods natural experiment studies together with partners, including cohort studies in four Canadian cities: the All Ages and Abilities Cycling Network in Victoria; the City Greenways Plan in Vancouver; the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Saskatoon; and the ecological transition and resilience policies that call for an array of greening, place-making, traffic-calming, and transportation interventions in Montreal.

Reflecting the challenges around health and equity cities face today, INTERACT aims to 1) document how health and equity are considered in the planning and design of built environment interventions; 2) map where and for whom are urban changes implemented over time; and 3) assess the impacts of these changes on health outcomes, specifically physical activity, social connectedness and well-being, and health equity. Over 2,500 people have contributed data to our research. Our team has brought together over 50 city stakeholders and community groups to collaborate on this intervention research program and generate evidence to support the design of healthier cities. This webinar will present on INTERACTs finding to date, reflect on the current state of built environment and health research, and provide opportunities for discussion with participants.

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