Sustainable mobility and physical activity: a meaningful marriage

Abstract

Since 2008 more than half of world’s population lives in cities some of which grow bigger every day. The number of people requiring all transport modes is also increasing rampantly, with all possible consequences such as pollution, lost useful working or leisure hours, etc. Combined with climate change this can create and unbearable situation as was evident in Beijing, in December 2015. One of the major responses to these has been the effort to create compact cities and sustainable transport. Combining both, means the use of public transport, or physical transport modes (walking, cycling, etc.) This paper in the context of a wider international research, SPAcE (Supporting Policy and Action for Active Environments) deals with the latter specific case of the physical transport modes, considering them as offering much more than just a version of sustainable transport. In particular, the paper highlights the merits of physical mobility not only from the aspect of transport sustainability but also from the point of view of physical activity and exercise that, in addition, has a multitude positive impacts on human health. The positive effects of physical exercise on health have been well-documented to prevent several diseases and to decrease relevant risks. Further on, a physically active lifestyle enhances feelings of energy, well-being and quality of life (American College of Sports Medicine, 2011). Drawing from the examples of two major interventions in Greek metropolises, the Acropolis promenade in Athens and the Thessaloniki waterfront redevelopment, the paper shows how these major urban interventions have created spaces used for a variety of purposes ranging from mobility needs to clear leisure, and investigates how transport restructuring towards non-motorised means and physical activity are integrated in this context of urban regeneration. The paper raises the question of how these two good practices of a combination between urban regeneration and sustainable mobility including physical exercise can be adopted from other cities in Greece or elsewhere, adding experience to the international terrain of modern active healthy environments. © 2017.