10 Local neighbourhood networks

There should be a local, decentralised network of representatives
from children’s day care facilities, schools, sports clubs,
paediatricians, etc. in the district/borough neighbourhood,
who work locally and are in touch with the people. Needs can
vary from municipality to municipality, or indeed from district
to district. Different approaches should be considered when
drawing up measures.

For an effective promotion of children’s physical activity it is necessary
not to rely only on networks between the municipal administration
and the relevant institutions thoughout the city (chap. 8 and
9), but to develop local networks in the various districts or neighbourhoods.

One must bear in mind that municipalities often already have networks.
For instance, in urban planning it has been usual for some
years now to involve other stakeholders. Networked structures are
also practised in youth welfare work. This means that for the promotion
of physical activity among children existing networks from
other areas can be used.
One task of the network manager should be to use existing local
connections to promote physical activity among children. This can
be:

• A meeting among the children’s day-care facilities in the respective districts/boroughs

• Regular meetings of paediatricians

• Existing networks among schools

• Cooperation management among sports clubs

The target of local networks should be to improve the local environmental
conditions in the neighbourhood, implement programmes
and take into account the residents’ needs. The positive
effect of physical activity promotion can be particularly substantial
in the direct neighbourhood: with direct social support the time
spent exercising and the frequency of the same can clearly rise.

Through the local network approach local questions can be answered
more global and intensiv:

1. Which offers do exist?
2. What spaces for exercise do children find?
3. Do children use offers and spaces? If not, why?
4. Which kind of measures and spaces are missing?
5. How can the space to be physically active be optimised with
easy measures?

Possible measures that permit a relatively short-term implementation
are e. g. the physical activity-friendly design of schoolyards, the
expansion of operating periods or the implementation of more play
streets in housing areas.

Best Practice Switzerland (CH)

Local Physical Activity and Sports Networks

Since 2003 71 local networks were bulit up in Switzerland,
which mainly connect institutions in municipalities. 55 persons
absolved the special education as sports coordinator.

More information:
www.citiesforsports.eu/best-practice