The Ideal Urban Futures competition addresses the impact of climate change on health

From December 4, 2023, to January 30, 2024, The Art of Health coordinated the Ideal Urban Futures Competition, in partnership with The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s Children, Cities & Climate Action Lab which aims to address the challenges of averting climate breakdown; leveraging the central role of cities in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving human health.

Through this global creative arts contest, an invitation was extended to young people aged 13 to 35 to envision a healthier, more sustainable world in the face of climate change. Over eight weeks, the competition received compelling entries from 36 countries, showcasing the diverse voices of a generation committed to addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Participants were tasked with answering three pivotal questions through art, graphic design, or photography:

1. How has climate change affected your health and well-being?

2. What are the solutions to the effects of climate change in your city?

3. What does an “ideal urban future” look like to you?

These questions encouraged participants to reflect on the environmental issues impacting their communities while proposing actionable and imaginative solutions.

The competition revealed fascinating regional themes:

• Health Impacts of Climate Change:

  Participants from African and Asian regions highlighted pollution’s toll on physical and mental health. This included the link between harmful emissions and conditions like anxiety or asthma. For instance, Godblesus Dliwayo from Zimbabwe emphasized corporate accountability for emissions, while Maxim Timofeev from the UAE shared his personal experience of relocating to escape air pollution.

  
  
  
  

• Innovative Solutions for Urban Sustainability:

  Solutions ranged from nature-based approaches like rooftop gardening (Sudip Maiti, India) to futuristic technologies like bladeless wind turbines and solar windows made from food waste (Breech Asher Harani, Philippines).

• Visions of Ideal Urban Futures:

  
  

  Artists painted vivid pictures of cities harmonizing with nature. Bingyu Zhou from the USA imagined urban greenery and clean air fostering sustainable living, while Tariq Lawal from Nigeria envisioned a smart, eco-friendly Lagos powered by renewable energy.

From 30 shortlisted entries, three winning projects stood out for their creativity, clarity, and commitment to the competition’s vision:

1. Toleukhan Madina (Kazakhstan):

   Explored innovative renewable energy solutions, emphasizing their role in combating urban challenges.

   
   

2. Dada Nifemi Emmanuel (Nigeria):

   Envisioned a future where eco-friendly infrastructure and youth empowerment drive a sustainable Lagos.

   
   

3. Nyasha Gurure (Zimbabwe):

   Captured the psychological effects of climate change, addressing the urgent need for mental health support in climate-affected communities.

   
   

The Ideal Urban Futures Competition underscored the power of creative expression in shaping a sustainable future. By showcasing the voices of young changemakers, it not only highlighted pressing global challenges but also inspired actionable solutions through art.

As we move forward, these creative visions remind us that a brighter, greener, and healthier urban future is within reach—if we dare to imagine it and take action.

What’s your vision for an ideal urban future?