If we want children in London to be more physically active, we must design our streets, parks, and neighbourhoods so that play is safe, accessible, built in, and equitable because behaviour is shaped as much by place as by programmes.
The article in Cities & Health looks at how city design affects children’s ability to be physically active, and argues that if cities are designed well, they can naturally support more active behaviour.
- Children have a basic need to play. Play isn’t just fun; it’s essential for health, development, wellbeing.
- Urban design matters a lot. If streets are dangerous, crossings are hard, green spaces are far away, or there aren’t safe play areas, children are less likely to play outside or move around freely.
- Play needs to be built in, not added later. It’s better if planning for play and active spaces is part of how we build cities from the start.
- Multiple design features interact. It’s not just one thing (like proximity to parks) but many elements – safe routes, mixed land use, good sidewalks, low traffic, visual cues, access to open space – that combine to increase chances kids will be active.
- Equity matters. Kids in some areas have worse quality play opportunities. So, design must pay attention to fairness.
Why this matters for London Sport
- Strategic Planning Implication: When setting strategy or funding, ensure urban design is considered as a core part of physical activity programmes for children. Not just programmes, but the place where children live needs to support activity.
- Advocacy Opportunity: London Sport can push for policy / planning changes: e.g., influence borough planning departments to include play in every new housing scheme, ensure school surroundings are safe and accessible, or that walking routes to parks are child friendly.
- Partnerships: This gives a strong reason to work with urban planners, local government, parks departments, transport authorities, housing associations. Because many of the levers are outside the usual sport sector.
- Investment Priorities: When allocating resources or funding projects, London Sport should favour (or perhaps require) that built environment criteria are met. For instance, choosing projects that improve safe routes, increase green/open play spaces, or refurbish underused land into play zones.
- Equity Lens: Prioritise areas with low access to quality play and green space, or with known barriers (traffic, lack of safe sidewalks, etc.), so children in those areas benefit more.