Special Events & Activities
ICUH 2026 offers several specially-designed events to expand upon the conference program, connect more deeply to our host city, and to foster exceptional networking opportunities for all of our participants.
On this page, you’ll find a selection of Special Events, Networking Events, and Site Visits & Tours designed in collaboration with our partners across Mexico City to showcase and complement the conference themes and our host city.
Please note that most events require separately-purchased tickets, which are available as add-ons to your conference registration here. For more information about conference registration, please visit the Registration page.
Special Events
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Time: 9:00-16:00
Location: Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ciudad de Mexico Campus, SUM 1 101
Join us for a one-day program held alongside the 22nd International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) in Mexico City!
This event will feature university students from Mexico and other Latin American countries who have done research on children’s environmental health and children’s health disparities in Latin America who will present their work at our Break the Cycle of Children’s Environmental Health Disparities in Latin America Symposium for the 22nd Annual International Conference on Urban Health in Mexico City the week of October 12, 2026.
Break the Cycle of Children’s Environmental Health Disparities program supports an interdisciplinary set of student-driven research projects that explore the social, economic, and environmental factors that adversely affect children’s health and well-being.
University students are encouraged to develop creative strategies to reverse or mitigate those adverse factors and thereby improve the health and well-being of vulnerable children to Break the Cycle of Children’s Environmental Health Disparities and promote health equity for all children.
Since its inception in 2004, Break the Cycle has partnered with over 50 university departments across 25 States in the US, from 6 countries in Latin America and 2 countries in Africa, and has supported research with publications for over 200 trainees. In addition, we have held 3 international Break the Cycle of Children’s Environmental Health Disparities in Africa with more than 30 students from 8 countries in Africa. This will be our 1st program focusing on Latin America.
Please see our website for examples of previous presentations. https://www.breakthecycleprogram.org/
Register either as a standalone ticket, or as an add-on to your conference registration.
Sign up via Oxford Abstracts here.
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Time: 10:00-13:00
Location: Tecnológico de Monterrey, Ciudad de Mexico Campus, SUM 1 101
Are you currently designing or implementing an urban project, programme or policy that aims to improve health or well-being?
The World Health Organization (WHO) invites ICUH 2026 participants to apply for a 3.5-hour, in-person applied training session on Tuesday, 13 October, focused on strengthening a real urban project or policy you are currently working on.
Participants will choose one of three areas of concentration:
Measurement and data use — led by Alejandro Feged, PhD
Evidence-informed decision-making — led by Luis Alfonso Rivera Illingworth, PhD
Applied systems thinking — led by José Antonio Ballesteros Figueroa, PhD
Rather than a traditional lecture, the session will give participants the opportunity to work directly on their own project, programme, policy or implementation challenge with facilitators and peers. You will apply practical concepts and tools, examine how your current approach could be strengthened, and identify concrete next steps for your work.
Selected participants must complete approximately 1.5 hours of WHO e-learning before the session.
Places are limited and applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
Applications close Saturday, 3 October 2026.
To apply, please complete this application form and submit a brief CV of no more than two pages.
We encourage you to apply early and look forward to welcoming selected participants to the training.
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Time: 10:00–16:00
Location: WRI México Office, Belisario Domínguez 8, PA, Villa Coyoacán (map)
Join WRI Mexico for a full day exploring three of the most pressing urban health challenges facing the Mexico City metropolitan area: extreme heat, air quality, and road safety. The day brings together urban practitioners, researchers, local experts, and fellow ICUH 2026 participants to connect evidence and technical knowledge with lived, local experience, with an emphasis on practical solutions and opportunities for transdisciplinary action.
The morning includes a moderated panel with WRI Mexico leadership, including Director Paco Barnés, One Atmosphere Director Beatriz Cárdenas, and Cities Program Director Carina Arvizu, followed by reflections from urban health experts across institutions and an open discussion with participants.
In the afternoon, the conversation moves outdoors for an interactive Urban Safari: a guided field walk around the WRI Mexico office where participants observe firsthand how urban design and infrastructure shape health through exposure to air pollutants, heat, road conditions, and everyday mobility. The day closes with a networking lunch, provided by WRI.
Schedule
10:00–10:10 – Opening and framing
10:10–10:40 – Panel: Urban health risks from a transdisciplinary perspective (heat, air quality, road safety)
10:40–11:10 – Reflections from urban health experts
11:10–12:00 – Open discussion with participants
12:00–12:30 – Urban Safari: preparation and briefing
12:30–1:30 – Urban Safari: guided field walk
1:30–2:00 – Urban Safari: reflections and conclusions
2:00–4:00 – Networking lunch, provided by WRI
Space is limited to 40 ICUH 2026 participants.
Register as an add-on to your conference registration via Oxford Abstracts here.
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Time: 17:30–18:00, Immediately following the afternoon plenary: Theme 4: Mental Health, Social Connection, & Belonging
Location: ICUH 2026 Registration Area
What if our cities were designed for better connection?
At ICUH 2026, author and speaker Kat Vellos will join us for a special book signing of her bestselling book, We Should Get Together — immediately following her plenary appearance in Theme 4: Mental Health, Social Connection, & Belonging.
Kat’s work explores a question at the heart of this theme: how does the built environment shape our ability to form and sustain social connection?
As an advocate for connection-oriented urban design and policy, Kat works with neighbors, organizations and civic leaders to examine how the places we live can either support—or create barriers to—community formation. Her writing is read in more than 100 countries, and her work has been featured by The New York Times, NPR, Strong Towns, the Congress for the New Urbanism and others.
Following the plenary, continue the conversation and meet Kat at the ICUH 2026 Registration Area.
A very limited number of copies will be available onsite, so attendees who would like a signed copy are encouraged to order We Should Get Together ahead of the conference and bring it with them.
Order We Should Get Together [link]
Join us for the plenary, then stay to meet Kat and continue exploring what it takes to build cities where connection and belonging can flourish.
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Time: 10:00–13:00
Location: Quinta Colorada, Bosque de Chapultepec
Step into the heart of Chapultepec Park for an immersive, participatory workshop exploring how urban nature can support health, wellbeing, equity, and climate resilience.
Through a guided sensory walk and collaborative co-design session, participants will help shape practical Nature Dosing pathways and recommendations that will contribute to the ICUH 2026 Legacy Project and its future implementation in Mexico City.
Reserve your space here.
Networking Events
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Time: 18:00pm-20:00pm
Location: Bistró Chapultepec
Join us for the official ICUH 2026 Welcome Reception to kick off the conference week!
We are curating a stimulating evening to open up our 22nd conference, featuring renowned voices in global Urban Health, as we oficially welcome you to Mexico City.
Drinks and refreshments will be provided.
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Time: 18:00-19:30
Location: Will be shared in invite.
A special reception designed to honor our wonderful ICUH 2026 speakers and our generous partners and sponsors.
This event is by invitation-only.
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Time: 19:00-21:00
Location: Monumental Fuente de Nezahualcóyotl, Chapultepec Park
An evening curated for a dynamic and experiential networking evening. Join us at Mexico’s City’s largest public park, Chapultepec, for an exciting evening of local dishes, drinks, entertainment, and the opportunity to connect with our global community of urban health experts.
Separately ticketed event. Tickets are available as add-ons after conference registration here.
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17:00-18:30pm
Location: Barra Alipús
Join us for a casual happy hour meetup right in the heart of Tlalpan following the Official Closing to wind down the conference week with drinks, snacks, and fun with our global community.
All are welcome.
Site Visits & Tours
ICUH 2026 is as much about the city as it is about the sessions! A number of specially-curated tours and activities are taking place over the weekend following the conference, designed to take you beyond the campus and into the urban fabric of Mexico City itself – including visits to some of the city's most compelling public spaces, neighbourhoods, and community-led environments.
Spaces are limited and fill quickly, so we recommend booking as early as possible. The deadline to add site visits and tours to your registration is October 10th.
Enhance your conference week – add tour tickets to your registration via Oxford Abstracts.
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Location: Utopía Mixiuhca, Mexico City.
A shuttle to the site will leave from Tecnológico de Monterrey and return to Bosque de Chapultepec.
Visit Utopía Mixiuhca, one of Mexico City’s newest models of social urbanism, where public space brings together health, sports, culture, recreation, and community wellbeing. Participants will explore how large-scale, inclusive public infrastructure can help advance healthier, more equitable, and more connected cities.
To join the site visit, please add the session to your main registration.
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A 10-hour tour through Xochimilco's famous canals and Coyoacán's historic center, including a three-course meal.
This tour is offered in English. Departs on Saturday at 8:30am from Auditorio Nacional. Round-trip transportation is included.
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An 11-hour tour to the Teotihuacán pyramids and the Basilica of Guadalupe, including a buffet meal and a visit to a handicrafts workshop.
This tour is offered in English. Departs on Saturday at 8:30am from Auditorio Nacional. Round-trip transportation is included.
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A 12-hour tour to Val'Quirico and the Basilica of Ocotlán, including a three-course meal and a tasting at a traditional pulquería.
This tour is offered in English. Departs on Saturday at 8:30am from Auditorio Nacional. Round-trip transportation is included.
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Historic Center Walking Tour
A guided architectural walking tour through Mexico City's Historic Center, exploring its history, heritage, and urban transformation, led by a specialist architect. Approximately 3–4 hours on foot, covering 3–5 kilometers from Avenida 20 de Noviembre to Alameda Central.
This tour is offered on Saturday in Spanish, and on Sunday in English. Both tours will depart at 9:00am from Av. 20 de Noviembre in front of Palacio de Hierro.
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Historic Center Walking Tour
A guided architectural walking tour through Mexico City's Historic Center, exploring its history, heritage, and urban transformation, led by a specialist architect. Approximately 3–4 hours on foot, covering 3–5 kilometers from Avenida 20 de Noviembre to Alameda Central.
This tour is offered on Saturday in Spanish, and on Sunday in English. Both tours will depart at 9:00am from Av. 20 de Noviembre in front of Palacio de Hierro.
