An under-recognized determinant of population health, urban planning plays a crucial role in the quality of life, well-being and therefore the overall health of any individual. Four experts in healthy urban planning have coordinated this special feature: Anne Roué Le Gall, Mathilde Pascal, Nina Lemaire and Thierno Diallo. This issue presents a summary of knowledge on health-friendly urban planning practices in France and abroad, focusing on specific examples of real-life experiences. Some 20 researchers and professionals in the field have contributed to this issue, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO), which makes an alarming observation ‒ degraded urban planning kills ‒ and suggests counter-actions. This issue of La Santé en action contains diverse international examples. It is also the first issue available entirely in English, to encourage dialogue and information exchange beyond France.