Download OPPORTUNITY Even facing epidemic childhood obesity rates and a

Smart neighbourhood
design can enhance
children’s physical activity
OPPORTUNITY
Even facing epidemic childhood obesity rates and a need to rely less on
fossil fuels, Saskatoon residents predominantly drive, exceeding the
already high national average. The way we have designed the city, over
time, has promoted this. In response, Smart Cities Healthy Kids’ has, using
surveys, interviews and directly measured physical activity, examined how
neighbourhood design impacts children’s active living, walking and biking.
Our aim is to design a more compact, pedestrian-friendly city that
encourages kids to be active and minimize the ecological footprint.
I M PACT
Smart Cities, Healthy Kids has used workshops, reports, fact sheets, the
Internet and social media to promote the project. Through an evaluation
with partners (e.g. city planners, school officials) and participants, we
found greater knowledge of built environment and physical activity. Most
reported changes in personal and organizational attitudes or behaviour.
We also found signs of organizational change, such as in neighbourhood
planning and policies to promote active living for children, and for all.
www.smartcitieshealthykids.com
Researchers
Nazeem Muhajarine:
Professor and Chair,
Community Health and Epidemiology,
College of Medicine
Partners
City of Saskatoon
Bill Holden: Senior Planner
Allan Wallace:
Director, Neighbourhood Development