6 Spaces for physical activity within a city
Opportunities for free play and physical activity in their local
neighbourhoods are vitally important for children. Urban planning
should also take communal open spaces into consideration.
It is very important that children have the possibility to
play and be physically active in their own neighbourhood.
The informal spaces for physical activity include not only the specially
targeted places such as playgrounds, skate facilities, or kickabout
areas, but also the asphalt or non-asphalt roads and parking
lots used by the population for exercise.
These areas play a very important part in making a town activityfriendly.
At any time of the year forests, meadows and parks always
prompt children to more movement and exercise.
1. the individual, social and physical environment.
Environmental conditions that have a special impact on children’s
playing and physical activity are:
2. Room to move
Playgrounds, where the children not only gain sensory and
exercise experience but also learn social skills.
3. Less traffic or lower speed
Play streets or cul-de-sacs slow down the traffic and allow
a culture of physical activity to return to the streets.
4. The nearness of home
The nearness of home also has a important role.
The proximity of such facilities to the residential neighbourhood is
also very important. Here municipalities should take into consideration
their regulations for housing projects and make the private
housing enterprises corresponding recommendations to provide
high-quality playgrounds and open spaces in their new construction
projects. These amenities should give the children a back-up in their
basic physical activity skills.
Municipalities should create attractive playgrounds in line with the
state of the art. The official playgrounds of a town should offer the
children a stimulating and motivating setting for physical activity.
Play areas already existing can be easily improved with a view to
more physical activity: shady trees make the playgrounds more attractive
and encourage the children to be more active.
