Who are we?
The Institute for Healthy Urban Living at the University of Westminster offers unparalleled opportunities for innovation and collaboration aimed at sustainable and socially integrated advancements in urban health and wellbeing, globally. With a solid foundation in established research and education, the Institute unites twelve schools and over 100 research groups across the Arts, Sciences, Built Environment and Business to focus on addressing urban health challenges in the UK and worldwide. The diverse cultural and ethnic makeup of the University staff and students provide much sought after opportunities for unique problem solving capability.
It’s a City Thing
Strategically located in central London, the Institute leverages its physical and digital resources to facilitate both local and global partnerships. This unique positioning allows for practicable and collaborative research and knowledge exchange. At a City level we aim to impact the design and development of urban environments, supporting a regenerative and bio-aware approach. Our wish to link with active community groups across large cities will underpin our route to impact. At the personal level, the Institute engages city dwellers directly, offering individual health assessments, treatments, and the dissemination of critical health and wellbeing knowledge.
Our Approach
The Institute builds on traditional interdisciplinary working, to add a novel “Industry on the Inside” approach to all activity. We engage non-academic stakeholders in project genesis, design and delivery on an equal footing with academic stakeholders. By embedding both industry and community citizens within our framework, we both form and strengthen connections between academia, industry and the community, bringing a truly transdisciplinary approach. This way of working naturally fosters novel and innovative methodologies, along with partnerships that target interventions where they are most needed. Most importantly, this ensures maximum impact, and tangible difference to real people.