Designers to tackle healthy living in London summit
The Design Council is preparing to hold the first major summit for its campaign, "Active by Design", aiming to explore how architects and designers can tackle obesity by encouraging physically active lifestyles.
Leading experts including Professor Harry Rutter of Halsa Consulting, Riccardo Marini, Director at the world famous Gehl architects in Copenhagen, and Mandy Ayres, Senior Director of Sport for Nike will be present at the summit to give their thoughts on how innovation in design and town planning can make the UK population healthier.
Projects such as New York City's High Line parkway, the bicycle sharing schemes of Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Hangzhou are all being held up as possible solutions for the UK.
The summit will take place during the London Design Festival this week.
"If we are to make any real change to the health of the nation we need to use intelligent design to open people's minds," said Sir John Sorrell, Co-Founder and Chair of the London Design Festival.
Intelligent design solutions really do have the power to transform lives and now, more than ever, the need to harness that power is paramount."
Active by Design was launched earlier this year in response to the UK's worsening health crisis, and suggests that local authorities and developers step up to the challenge by creating places that make physical activities safer and more accessible for citizens.
The Active by Design Summit will take place on September 18.
