Cities must be redesigned to make it much easier for people to be physically active as part of everyday life. This is the main finding in a report about to be released.
The report’s author, John White, says that submissions to the recent Health Select Committee Inquiry into Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes had a very strong message. “We need to make walking and cycling the easy and natural choice by the way we design urban areas”, Mr White said.
Professor Grant Schofield from AUT University, and an expert on physical activity and health, agreed with Mr White. “Cities that encourage walking and cycling are not just essential for our health”, he said. “They also provide a much more sustainable way of living in the twenty-first century.”
Celia Wade-Brown, president of Living Streets Aotearoa and a Wellington City Councillor, welcomed the report. “The report makes a compelling case for Councils to take much greater responsibility for the health effects of the built environment. Good footpaths, signage and calmer traffic are essential for active travel”, she said.
Mr White’s report is to be launched at a function in Wellington at 5.30pm on Tuesday 11 March hosted by Living Streets Aotearoa. Professor Schofield will be the main speaker.
For a copy of the invitation to the launch or for more information, contact
Liz Thomas liz.thomas at livingstreets.org.nz
385 8280 021 106 4201