GoGreenRoutes commenced with the challenge of addressing urban health in light of the wicked problems of climate change and urbanisation across six targeted cities (i.e. cultivating cities) with knowledge exchange across both Seed and Cross-Pollination cities and regions. Three key shifts occurred during the timeline of the project 1) COVID-19 Global Pandemic and 2) Climate Change Anxiety 3) Increased focus on gender and intersectionality. These new challenges were systematically tackled by the GoGreenRoutes project. A published scientific review clearly demonstrated that natural environments possess considerable potential in buffering the impact of stressful events on a population level on mental health during COVID-19. Additional tools relating to the topic of climate anxiety have been embedded in the survey and monitoring tools applied in the project. A gender inclusion and diversity committee within the project clustered with other projects (e.g. Inhabit) and engaged in a more comprehensive approach towards the emerging agendas in public discourse. Since, the inception of GoGreenRoutes cities have shown an increased ambition to address urban health problems using nature-based solutions, digital and social innovation. Two notable examples of this ambition provide context to the projects impact. Both the cities of Tallinn (2023) and Lahti (2021), in Estonia and Finland, respectively, have been awarded European Green Capital awards. Supported by the project further ambition was shown through a commitment to the City Mission by Lahti and Umea, which have benefitted from the learning ecosystem of GoGreenRoutes. Nature-based solutions and nature-based interventions augmented by technological solutions and participatory approaches are central to cities achieving their collective ambitions and promoting urban health for their citizens. GoGreenRoutes array of visionary and integrated solutions are build upon a multi-dimensional health model, termed 360-Health, which links human and environmental health and supports health impacts across the lifespan. This multi-dimensional concept aligns with 12 of the 17 the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-being. Ensuring intergenerational health is critical to the future of communities and cities. To achieve 360 Health, novel tools, methods and indicators have had to be developed. GoGreenRoutes aim is to promote multidimensional health by implementing a variety of NBS (e.g. Greenways, Pocket Parks, Health Forests), to connect citizens to nature, promote sustainable physical activity, optimise public places as inclusive intergenerational spaces and increase knowledge to improve sustainable lifestyle habits with benefits for both environmental and human health.
