This book addresses the urgent challenge of creating healthier, more sustainable communities in the face of rapid urbanisation, climate change, and increasing pressure on natural resources. It offers a multidisciplinary exploration of how innovations in sustainability can significantly enhance quality of life and public health, focusing on the core themes of citizen participation, sustainable mobility, liveability and urban design, and sustainable materials and energy. Drawing on cases from high-, middle, and low-income countries, it combines real-world examples of implemented initiatives with theoretical insights to evaluate both well-established and pioneering approaches.

At its core, the book is built around the premise that sustainability and health are deeply interconnected. By improving the environmental quality of our cities and communities, we can significantly enhance physical and mental well-being. All contributions address a facet of this relationship, and the full volume is enriched by contributions from a diverse author team from both academic and practitioner backgrounds, ensuring global applicability and practical relevance. The book integrates evidence-based indicators, critical analysis of successes and failures, generalizable strategies across diverse cultural, geographic, and economic contexts, and discussions of implementation challenges to provide actionable tools for professionals, policymakers, and community leaders.

Dr. Arch. Fanny E. Berigüete Alcántara is a researcher and lecturer with a multidisciplinary academic background that includes specializations in Project Management and Big Data, a Master’s degree in Advanced Construction in Building from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), and a Master’s degree in Urban Landscape Design from the Barcelona School of Design (ESDESIGN). She also holds a PhD in Architecture, Building, and Urban Technology from UPC. Her work focuses on the integration of sustainability, social innovation, citizen participation, nature-based solutions, and emerging technologies in the built environment. As co-founder and president of the Foro de la Arquitectura Iberoamericana (ARQUIBERAM), an international Ibero-American network, she has led initiatives promoting the transformation of cities through emerging technologies and human-centered approaches. She was the provincial winner of the XXVIII National Youth Award 2024, granted by the Ministry of Youth of the Dominican Republic, in the category of Professional Achievement. She has teaching experience in architecture and sustainable construction, has served as a juror in international competitions, and collaborates with various scientific and professional networks related to sustainability and urban innovation, including the Sustainability Network, RECEMX, the Margarita Salas Foundation network, and others. She is also a connector for the CivicWise International Network, which promotes open collaboration for sustainable urban projects

Dr. Inmaculada Rodríguez Cantalapiedra is a Full Professor of Physics at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. She holds degrees in Physical Sciences and Technical Architecture, and a PhD in Physics. Her academic and research work focuses on construction materials characterization, nonlinear dynamics, and energy efficiency in buildings, with particular emphasis on sustainable construction and performance assessment. She has extensive teaching experience in engineering and building-related programs, delivering courses in physics, mechanics, renewable energy, and energy efficiency at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr. Rodríguez Cantalapiedra has held academic leadership roles, including the directorship of the Escola Politècnica Superior d’Edificació de Barcelona, contributing to curriculum development and institutional management. Her research output includes journal publications, conference papers, and participation in competitive research projects. She is involved in academic evaluation, international juries, and initiatives promoting innovation in higher education.