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Introduction Action on the determinants of health and equity involves the participation of all sectors, including non-health sectors. Understanding the opportunities and constraints to engage in the complex issue of health inequalities requires opening the black box of policy making. It also requires close interaction between field actors and researchers. This paper will aim to analyze the modalities of collaboration between researchers and field actors in the service of knowledge sharing, within the GREENH-City project. Methods The GREENH-City project was built in an interdisciplinary and intersectoral manner and involves close collaboration with the WHO French Healthy Cities Network (FHCN). Its objective is to characterize the most promising health interventions in all policies at the city level to promote equity through green space policies. Based on the knowledge sharing model and the theory of diffusion of innovations, we will analyze how this research allows initiating collaborations between the different municipal sectors on health issues. Results The intervention nature of the project seems to help the dissemination of collaborations, particularly between health services and green space services within the cities of the FHCN. The analysis, using theoretical models, of the body of empirical data collected from cities will make it possible to identify the levers and collateral effects activated by the research project. Discussion The GREENH-City project was built on the basis of an interventional research framework. This choice was made precisely because of the interaction it induces between researchers and practice environments. Initial empirical results suggest that it promotes the dissemination of knowledge, a necessary first step in the evolution of practices. Indeed, the effective appropriation of research results can only be assessed in the long term and must take into account the contextual elements specific to each FHCN involved in the research. Key messages Implementation of interventional research helps to engage fields collaborations. Health in all policies may be supported by a research project at the local level.

Introduction Urban green spaces impact the individual and collective health of populations. At the city level, they act as regulators of environmental hazards and constitute collective protective factors. At the individual level, they constitute social spaces for encounters and rejuvenation. But, these functions depend on the use made of these green spaces which can be inequitable. This paper presents the results of the analysis of the use of green spaces in the 6 French cities selected in the WHO French Healthy City Network conducted as part of the GREENH-City research project. Methods Based on park profiles, a qualitative survey was conducted among users of 3 different parks in each of the 6 selected cities with both observations and semi-directive interviews. Thematic analyzes were performed. Observed activities were classified into 8 groups (supervised educational, food, activities i.e. calm, commercial, artistic and cultural, physical non-sport, sports) and related to a specific use (professional/ personal, individual/ collective, authorized/ not and conflictual/ not). The uses described by the individuals interviewed were classified into 4 categories: attendance, utility, opinions and activities. Results 186 observations and 591 recorded and unrecorded interviews with individuals or groups were conducted in the 18 parks. Overall, calm activities are dominant. However, activities and uses differ between cities and within the city depending on the nature of the parks (ancient, new..), their management, their location (more or less central, located in a deprived area or not) and people expectations. Conclusions Park uses are only partially dependent on amenities within the park. The nature of the park itself, its geographical location and its landscape characteristics seem to be decisive for the uses observed. These data are essential to inform public decision-makers and guide the creation and development of green spaces in cities in a vision of social justice. Key messages Urban green spaces can improve population health but their uses may be inequitable. Study of population use of urban green spaces may help to shape local policies towards more equity.