Building stronger active living infrastructure in metropolitan cities
This session which was moderated by IAKS Vice President Conrad Boychuk looked at three major international cities and their strategies for creating greater opportunities for active lifestyles.
John Martinez, Deputy Executive Director of Recreation at the City and County of Denver (USA) underscored three of the City’s areas of focus – connecting underserved communities to the outdoors, interactive health and wellness programs, and free or reduced cost access to facility amenities and programs.
What are best practices like in Calgary? According to James McLaughlin, Acting Director for Recreation at the City of Calgary (Canada), the City’s response to providing both programs and facilities is based in part on “Influencing Trends” including the critical levels of physical inactivity, increasing child obesity, increased risks for women and girls, adults living alone, and the supporting traditional and non-traditional activity opportunities.
Sidney City Services Strategy Manager Matthew McDonald gave an insight on the cities' broad approach to dealing with the major issues of adult and child obesity, sedentary lifestyle and mental health. The international image of Sydney as an active city is not the reality for many residents. City Services strategies for improvement include creating “active hubs” within every city “village” and linking those with a Liveable Green Network.
photo: IAKS
