The Sustainable Tapestry: Fusing Mainstream and Indigenous Insights for Healthy and Liveable Cities

This chapter delves into the vital intersection of urbanization, sustainability, and public health, acknowledging the unprecedented growth of cities. It underscores the pressing need for sustainable urban environments that harmonize human necessities, ecological integrity, and overall well-being. To address the multifaceted challenges confronted by urban societies, this chapter advocates for the respectful integration of Indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream urban planning. It explores the potential for collaboration, presenting philosophies and practices that can be implemented in urban areas to safeguard public health, prevent environmental degradation, and enhance liveability. This chapter explores how indigenous knowledge can alleviate the health consequences of pollution, enhance overall liveability, and showcases the positive outcome of collaboration. It sheds light on the need for mainstream urban planning to be receptive to indigenous knowledge. Case studies are utilized to illustrate how indigenous knowledge can fill critical gaps in urban planning, such as the promotion of biodiversity and ecological balance. By harnessing the wisdom of Indigenous communities, this chapter emphasizes the potential for the development of holistic sustainable cities that prioritize environmental preservation, public health, and overall quality of life. It presents the scope of indigenous knowledge in development of sustainable cities that are conducive to increased well-being. It underscores the symbiotic relationship between contemporary planning principles and Indigenous knowledge, culminating in a path towards balanced and comprehensive sustainable urban development. Collaborative research and engagement with Indigenous communities are central to the successful integration of this knowledge, fostering sustainable cities that promote health and livability.