Greenery as a Tool for Adaptation: Socially Embedded Innovations in UNIC Cities

10 Aug 2026

On May 4th, Dr Christie Godsmark and Master of Public Health student Kendall Visco travelled to Łódź to meet with UNIC partners on an urban greening project entitled “Greenery as a Tool for Adaptation: Socially Embedded Innovations in UNIC Cities.” 

This visit coincided with the 6th International Healthy Urban Regeneration Congress. The agenda covered issues at the core of the UNIC alliance’s cooperation and included panels and presentations on healthy city planning, the urban microbiome, and the urban environment as a mechanism for good health.  

Dr Godsmark and Kendall were hosted by their UNIC research partners Patrycja and Paulina from University of Łódź, who gave them in-depth tours around the city, focusing on green and play spaces. The team discussed a future co-authored project concerning healthy green spaces and their development in the post-industrial cities of Cork and Łódź.  

Dr Godsmark said that she was “blown away” by the hospitality of her hosts, who made her and Kendall “feel so welcome and planned a lovely visit.” She also felt that the team at the University of Łódź did a great job organising the logistics of the trip and helping their visitors navigate the paperwork that comes with a European partnership.  

Kendall also expressed appreciation for Patrycja and Paulina as hosts and guides in “a beautiful city with a rich history and wonderful green spaces.” She found the Congress “incredibly insightful and welcoming” and “would love to return in the future.” 

“The commitment and warmth from Patrycja and Paulina solidified that this project is only just the beginning of our future work together,” said Dr Godsmark.