WELLNESS CITIES
“Even small changes to design can have a huge
knock-on effect
in terms of getting people active.”
Institute of British Architects (RIBA) found the areas of the UK’s cities with the poorest health outcomes are those with the least green space. Moreover it’s the quality of streets and parks, as much as the quantity, that encourages people to walk more. Then there’s the Design Council in the UK, which is championing its own Active by Design campaign – including a conference in London next month – to address the serious health issues fac- ing us, brought on by a lack of physical exercise and poor diet. It aims to be a catalyst for change, finding new links and connecting aspects of the planning system, health service and the built environment sector, both public and pri- vate, where few currently exist. There’s a plethora of advice and guidance around improving our environ- ment to benefit health and wellness.
Theory into practice So how is all this manifesting itself in practice? Initiatives range from the quirky – such as designing stairs to look like piano keys – to the grandiose, such as the High Line in New York, US, where the old elevated railway track in lower Manhattan has been resurfaced and turned into a green walkway. Meanwhile the Movement for Liveable London campaign is aim- ing for a more pleasant and healthy city by changing the way people move around it. This sits in line with Sport England’s Active Design report, which talks about linking popular “everyday activity destinations” – so that’s shops, schools, doctors’ surgeries and main workplaces – via cyclepaths and good, pedestrian-friendly walkways. Another example is Living Streets’
Fitter for Walking programme, funded through the Big Lottery’s Wellbeing Programme, which has provided sup- port and information to residents and
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There’s been a huge increase in the number of running groups, clubs and events, showing the public thirst to be more active
promoted small-scale enhancements to streets in selected city areas in the UK. Increases in walking were recorded within almost all the targeted areas.
Connect the existing network Now, when we build anything new, we need to be aware of the enormous possibilities out there, and how even small changes to design can have a huge knock-on effect in terms of get- ting people active. But equally, we must not lose sight of the facilities we already have and how we can inte- grate them into the brave new world of active design, ensuring they are both viable and sustainable. For example, the facilities laid out in our traditional recreation grounds
Read Leisure Management online
leisuremanagement.co.uk/digital
during the mid-20th century – typically a couple of football pitches, a cricket square, some tennis courts and a bowling green – represented a ‘keep fit’ package then aspired to, which suited people’s way of life. It would be taken for granted that you would cycle or walk there, although rarely along spe- cial cycleways or footpaths. However, their pattern and level of use is chang- ing: for example, there’s a trend away from grass surfaces for adult 11-a-side football towards small-sided soccer on artificial grass pitches. There’s also a drop-off in demand for outdoor public tennis courts and bowling greens, leav- ing some of them sadly under-used. Parallel to this, there has been an explosion in the number of running and cycling groups, clubs and events now taking place throughout the UK, cater- ing for all levels of ability and demand. Recreation grounds have adapted to some extent: adding children’s play areas, changing tennis courts to multi-use games surfaces, installing
ISSUE 4 2014 © cybertrek 2014
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