Updates on Health & Well-being track, new speaker, and extended deadline
March 2026 Newsletter
The 12th World Congress on Green Infrastructure will be held in Barcelona and Lleida (Catalonia, Spain) from 27–30 October 2026.
Health & Well-being: a core theme of WGIC26
How can we better assess the impact of biophilic design on human health and well-being?
What role can initiatives such as Green Social Prescribing play in shaping healthier cities?
These are some of the key questions driving one of the three main thematic tracks of WGIC26 Barcelona – Lleida.
The World Green Infrastructure Network (WGIN) has long promoted the integration of green infrastructure in urban environments, benefiting both people and the planet. Yet today, a clear challenge remains: strengthening the connection between urban nature and human health.
At WGIC26, this topic will be explored through a dedicated track on Health & Well-being, inspired by the latest WHO report “Nature-based solutions and health” (May 2025).
This track will focus on the practical integration of nature-based solutions into health frameworks, public policies, and urban planning strategies, fostering stronger collaboration between the green infrastructure and health sectors.
The goal is to advance research, inform policy, and reinforce the role of urban nature in improving quality of life.
New confirmed speaker
Wendy Y. Chen
Professor at HKU in green-blue infrastructure.
Professor Wendy Y. Chen specialises in urban green-blue infrastructure, with a strong focus on evaluating and modelling its impact on urban sustainability and quality of life.
Her research addresses key challenges in understanding how green-blue spaces are designed, transformed, and integrated into urban systems, combining environmental, economic, and social perspectives.
Through her work, she contributes to advancing the quantitative assessment of nature-based solutions, helping to inform more effective urban planning and policy-making.
At WGIC26, she will bring valuable insights to the dialogue on green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
Submission deadline extended
- Previous deadline:15 March 2026
- New deadline:30 April 2026
We are pleased to announce that the Call for Papers & Projects deadline has been extended.
Researchers, practitioners, designers, and policymakers now have additional time to submit their work.
WGIC26 welcomes original research, case studies, and innovative applications in green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Submissions must be presented in short paper format (maximum 5 pages, MS Word).
All submitted papers will undergo a rigorous peer-review process, led by the Scientific Committee, which will determine acceptance and presentation format (oral or poster).
Accepted contributions will be published in the official WGIC26 proceedings, offering international visibility within the global green infrastructure community.
Learn how to properly submit your paper or project for WGIC26.
Stay connected with WGIC26
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Follow WGIC26 on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest announcements, speakers, programme updates, and key milestones leading up to the congress.
Join the conversation and be part of the global community shaping the future of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.