Vasan Ramachandran, MD, Delivers Keynote at Thriving Together Conference
The City of San Antonio hosted the Thriving Together Conference on August 29, where Vasan Ramachandran, MD, dean of the UT San Antonio School of Public Health, delivered the keynote address to an audience of community leaders, health professionals, and residents.
Ramachandran's presentation explored San Antonio's history through the lens of community development and connection. He discussed how events like historic floods in metropolises revealed both the disparities in infrastructure investment between wealthy and poor neighborhoods and the community's ability to come together during crises.
The dean drew from several urban planning texts in his talk, including Jan Gehl's work on human-centered design, Jane Jacobs' observations on urban vitality, Robert Putnam's research on social capital, and Mark Carney's perspectives on value systems in society.
Speaking at the historic Missions site, Ramachandran connected San Antonio's past as a gathering place for diverse communities to present-day efforts at building inclusive neighborhoods. He emphasized the importance of developing infrastructure, maintaining local expertise, and strengthening cultural and social connections.
The half-day conference featured panel discussions, exhibits, and interactive activities focused on building healthy, safe, and connected communities. Ramachandran concluded his keynote by emphasizing that creating a thriving San Antonio requires collaborative effort, shared resources, and recognition that community members working together represent the city's primary strength for future development.