2 minute read
for nature activity areas
from sb 4/2021 (english)
by IAKS
URBAN ACTIVITY AREAS
On 4 May, IAKS members met online for the kick-off meeting of the new „Urban Activity Areas“ Expert Circle. Under the guidance of Maria Keinicke / KEINGART architecture) and Holger Kortbek (Gladsaxe Municipality), both from Denmark, 18 experts from eight countries discussed the latest developments in urban physical activity, and the expectations towards urban activity areas by users and public authorities. Under the guidance of Holger Kortbek, Gladsaxe Municipality (Denmark), nine experts from four countries discussed the current trends and challenges in nature activity areas. To start with some input, Holger described the current situation from the Nordic perspective and then opened the discussion on how the situation is developing in other countries, and to define the expectations from users and public authorities.
Cities are growing in size and number of inhabitants, building sites are expensive. Sport and leisure areas need to be prioritized at an early stage to secure public realm, open to everybody, low-treshold. User groups and their specific needs might create a conflict.
The participants exchanged their views on the situation in their countries. It was commonly agreed that unhealthy lifestyles start already at early childhood with wrong nutrition and lack of movement. Children need to explore what we call „fearful play“, taking sensible risks.
Summing up, the term „physical activity“ and “sport” will get a new connotation in society. In former times, one started with a certain sport, e.g. football in early childhood, and kept going with it for a lifetime. Today, youngsters and adults are open to testing and practising many different activities, even in parallel to each other.
The participants appreciated the exchange of knowledge and will continue the expertise in smaller working groups before they will meet in October during the FSB trade fair and IAKS Congress. Outdoor activity has become very popular - due to Covid-19. The experts stated a rising awareness on the risk that the number of users could be a conflict compared to the environment that is used. Different user groups could cause conflicts with each other. What used to be the work by volunteers i.e. the trails and tracks (the infrastructure), could become a service to be provided by the municipality.
What would be the benefits for municipalities to get more involved in the infrastructure of nature activity areas?
• Nature activity areas need less budget than indoor facilities but can serve a larger amount of users. • Direct citizens in the dedicated area helps to preserve nature. • Making the municipality more attractive for citizens and tourism.
The expert circle members agreed to dedicate their future work to develop some guidance in order to support municipalities in embracing the new demand for nature activity areas infrastructure. The group plans to meet in-person in the course of the 27th IAKS Congress in October in Cologne, Germany.
