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Malcolm Smith joins global network to help advance cities’ well-being

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Trish Sunga Trish Sunga Australasia Press Office,Sydney
9 May 2022

Arup Australasia Cities Leader Malcolm Smith has been appointed as a co-chair on the WELL City Advisory, a prestigious international network committed to improving human health, equity, and well-being in urban areas.

Malcolm joins experts from nearly 20 countries including Australia, Singapore, the UK, US, China, and Canada on the inaugural WELL City Advisory, launched by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). 

Identifying that the needs of municipalities are ever-changing, the multidisciplinary group has been drawn together to develop and support the implementation of strategies that can scale worldwide.

“At Arup, our people are passionate about finding new ways to work collaboratively on building the resilience and wellbeing of our cities in order to create a more sustainable future. I look forward to working with cities to ensure that the health, wellbeing and equity of their inhabitants are at the forefront of their city shaping responses,” said Malcolm.

Malcolm has worked in many cities on complex master planning projects, guiding strategy design that encompasses systems integration, resource efficiency, cultural strategy, meaningful infrastructure, risk and resilience and social value.

The WELL City Advisory will “explore ways to support local governments worldwide in demonstrating leadership on advancing health and well-being across their buildings, organisations and communities.

“IWBI is working to meet cities where they are. The WELL City Advisory is a diverse group of experts who understand the design, function and operations of municipalities, big and small, local and global,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI, in an April 2022 news release.  

“The Advisory will help develop a framework, tools and coaching to allow cities to weave human health, equity and well-being into their DNA. We’re grateful to this tremendous group of leaders for joining with us today at such a critical moment to reimagine the future of cities and the significant role they play in enhancing, improving and protecting human health.”

Working in partnership with the National League of Cities (NLC) and informed by the new advisory, IWBI will work to design and shape strategies to encourage cities to demonstrate leadership and address health, safety, resilience and equity challenges, while promoting well-being.

Malcolm has volunteered his services to the Advisory, whose members bring deep expertise across public health, sustainability, engineering, design, architecture, policy and urban planning.

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