GCHU: Do neighbourhoods support us to thrive, or leave us lonely?

The Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation Public Seminar series brings together members of the public, researchers and practitioners interested and engaged in urban health issues. The principal aim of the series is to provoke debate and constructive action, linking current best practice in urban development with emerging areas of health research.

How does the design of our neighbourhoods affect how connected, healthy and supported we feel? This public seminar explores how streets, transport, public spaces and local meeting places can either bring people together or leave us feeling isolated. According to Age UK, in England, more than two million people over 75 live alone, and 1.4 million older adults experience chronic loneliness. While many studies focus on older people, younger and middle-aged individuals are also affected – the latest Community Life Survey from 2023/2024 shows that approximately 7% of adults often feel lonely.

As loneliness is now recognised as major public health challenge, this seminar asks how better urban design and planning could help to ensure that we remain socially connected in our neighbourhoods as we age. By listening to lived realities and embedding them into planning and policy, can we create fairer, more inclusive and better-connected communities for everyone?