Salford to host global Healthy City Design Congress for second year during city’s centenary celebrations

Salford to host global Healthy City Design Congress for second year during city’s centenary celebrations

Call for Papers launched for 10th anniversary international event at The Lowry, MediaCity.

Salford will take centre stage in the global conversation about healthier cities this autumn as it hosts the 10th Healthy City Design International Congress & Awards at The Lowry, MediaCity on 20–21 October 2026.

The milestone event coincides with Salford’s centenary year, marking 100 years since the city was granted official city status. Organisers say the choice of Salford reflects its transformation over the past two decades into one of the UK’s most dynamic examples of urban reinvention.

Under the theme “Breakdown or breakthrough? New strategies for healthier cities”, the Congress will explore how cities can respond to economic uncertainty, climate pressures and widening health inequalities by placing health at the heart of planning, investment and development.

A “living laboratory” in its centenary year
With major regeneration across Salford Quays, MediaCity and the wider city centre — alongside ambitious plans for new homes, jobs and sustainable infrastructure — Salford is being positioned as a “living laboratory” for health-led urban growth.

Professor Emeritus Jeremy Myerson, academic director and co-founder of Healthy City Design, said:
“Salford’s centenary year provides a powerful backdrop for this landmark 10th anniversary Congress. The city’s transformation shows how investment, infrastructure, culture and community engagement can align to support economic growth and wellbeing together.

Healthy City Design 2026 will bring international insight to Greater Manchester, while learning directly from the region’s own leadership in regeneration and public health.”

The Congress will convene senior figures from across research, policy, investment, development, planning and public health, creating opportunities for North West organisations to connect with global leaders.

Economic impact for Salford and the wider region
As a major international congress hosted at the Lowry, the event is expected to attract senior delegates from across the UK and overseas, generating direct economic benefit for Salford’s hospitality, cultural and visitor economy.

MediaCity — already a globally recognised hub for digital, creative and media industries — contributes approximately £1.4 billion annually to the Greater Manchester economy.

By bringing global leaders in urban development, infrastructure, health and investment to the region, Healthy City Design 2026 will further reinforce Salford’s reputation as a centre of innovation, civic leadership and sustainable growth.

Organisers say the Congress also supports Greater Manchester’s broader ambitions around inclusive growth, public health leadership and climate resilience by showcasing local projects and partnerships to an international audience.

Call for Papers now open
The organisers have formally launched the Call for Papers, inviting academics, practitioners, policymakers and developers to submit 400-word abstracts by 1 April 2026. Themes include:

•Healthy city design & planning
•Healthy homes and neighbourhoods
•Sustainable infrastructure and green mobility
•Community impact and social value
•Smart cities and digital health
•Population and neighbourhood health
•Healthy working environments

The event will also feature the Healthy City Design Awards Ceremony on the evening of 20 October.
Full details: www.healthycitydesign.global

Opportunities for North West partners
Organisers are encouraging Greater Manchester and North West organisations — including local authorities, developers, health leaders, infrastructure providers and universities — to become partners in the Congress.
Max Farrell, Chair of Healthy City Design, said:

“Hosting our 10th anniversary Congress in Salford during its centenary year is highly symbolic. Greater Manchester has long been a leader in civic innovation and public health. Through partnership, organisations across the North West have the opportunity not only to gain visibility, but to help shape national and international thinking on how we design, finance and deliver healthier cities. If the choice facing cities is breakdown or breakthrough, this region has the chance to lead that breakthrough.”

London launch event sets the tone
The Call for Papers launch will be marked by a special Launch Reception and Panel Debate on 24 February 2026 (17:00–20:30) at the Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, Dyson Building, Royal College of Art, London
Celebrating a decade of knowledge exchange, the London event will convene leading voices from design, planning, public health, policy and investment to explore how health can act as a catalyst for positive urban transformation. The evening will preview key Congress themes and outline partner and speaking opportunities ahead of the landmark 10th anniversary gathering.

Register for live stream: bit.ly/HCDLaunchWebinar