transforming conversations: promoting health and well-being through urban planning: vienna and beyond

dr. anna kajosaari

Dr. Anna Kajosaari is an urban geographer and postdoctoral researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, specializing in urban health and environmental planning. She uses digital participatory mapping to analyze the impact of urban spaces on health and well-being. She holds a PhD in spatial planning and transport engineering from Aalto University in Finland and has participated in major research projects on urban green spaces, mobility and participatory planning. As an active researcher and lecturer, she presents her work internationally and supervises students at various institutions. Fluent in Finnish, English, German, Swedish and Italian, she is involved in cross-border projects for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

In our Spring 2025 talk series, titled “Inclusive and Sustainable Societies: Roots and Routes,” we aim to critically examine what it means to sustain our collective future. This series will explore the intersection of inclusivity and sustainability by focusing on key themes such as agrarian issues, urban dynamics, and innovative economic models. By engaging with both the foundational causes of these challenges (roots) and potential pathways toward solutions (routes), we seek to deepen our understanding of how sustainability can underpin the creation of equitable, resilient, and thriving communities that celebrate and integrate cultural diversity.