4EU+ Urban Health Case Challenge (UHCC)

On 23-27 November 2020, 4EU+ University Alliance and the School of Global Health at the University of Copenhagen hosted the first edition of the 4EU+ Urban Health Case Challenge. Due to COVID19 restrictions the case challenge was held fully online. 68 bachelor, master's and PhD students divided into 14 multidisciplinary teams representing the 4 EU+ partner universities and two Nordic guest universities, Uppsala University and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, competed to come up with the best solution to a challenge on community resilience in times of COVID-19.The case provider Gehl Architects - a people centered urban research and design consulting firm posed the case question: “In your city, design a community intervention that strengthens resilience among vulnerable populations to overcome negative implications of COVID-19 preventive measures.”Alongside the team work the programme included lectures on the topic, on innovation methods, and pitch coaching. On the final day the teams presented their solutions and received feedback from a jury of different experts on the topic.

The second edition of the 4EU+ Urban Health Case Challenge focused on how the quality of urban space and social interactions within it can help in the prevention and mitigation of mental health issues on an emotional, psychological and social level and thus to ensure the well-being of the inhabitants and the strengthening of social cohesion.