4 Urban and traffic planning for a
physical activity-friendly community
Urban and transport planning have a major impact on children’s
opportunities for physical activity. With a view to the
increasing urban development in Europe the European municipalities
should take this into account and create an environment
that is conducive to children’s activities. Measures to
(reduce traffic and) promote cycling and walking as a means
of transport should be taken.
In 2004 80% of Europe’s population in the high-income countries
and 64% in countries with middle and lower incomes were living
in urban areas.8 Urban planning and design has an essential effect
on the people living in a city and on their physical activity.
The immediate environment children live in and grow up in plays
an important part in the motivation they have to take exercise.
Dense urban areas which in the last years have been geared towards
motorised traffic put restrictions on natural locomotion: the
distances covered by car have risen by 150% since 1970.8 The public
transport system of a town can also have a strong influence on
physical activity. There is obviously more physical activity if walking
and cycling is made easier. Using public transport usually also involves
walking quite a distance.
The use of various means of transport in European cities (model
Split) varies very greatly. In Copenhagen 59% of the transports are
made by cycle or by feet.
Urban planning should take into consideration an active lifestyle
where people have priority over cars. The behaviour of the population
in using various means of transport can be greatly influenced
by traffic policies. Concrete programmes should also be implemented
to increase our physical active mobility. The European municipalities
should take into consideration the specific requirements
of children when creating cycle paths and reduced traffic areas.
With cost-effective traffic redesign projects more space for physical
activity can be created for children. One such example is traffic-reduced
play streets. The open spaces can then be used as somewhere
to play.
