FUTURES EXPO SERIES
Rapid
urbanisation & population health ( ruph ) research group
> NSW Government successfully planted > 1 million trees across low-canopy areas of Sydney by 2022 , citing RUPH-based research on the mental health benefits of urban tree canopy .
> City of Sydney leveraged RUPH research , which indicates that a 30 %+ local tree canopy cover reduces risks of mental illhealth , to plant > 7000 trees in low canopy areas .
Working with communities , government and industry to shape healthier , more liveable cities for all
Research group
Urban health and environmental challenges are context-specific and cannot be fully understood or addressed by any one research discipline . The RUPH Research Group , led by Professor Xiaoqi Feng , harnesses scientific , clinical , and industry expertise , and the lived experience of community members , to shape healthier , more liveable cities for all . It embraces diversity to generate evidence-based solutions and builds transdisciplinary research capacity among UNSW academics , students , and collaborators worldwide .
RUPH has delivered game-changing research for city planners and urban foresters , both in Australia and around the world , by identifying the mental and cardiometabolic health benefits and healthcare cost savings of restoring tree canopies in cities . This evidence has been used to inform a range of policies designed to expand tree canopy cover , especially in lowerincome communities , to help make places cooler , more walkable , and more climate resilient .
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